Civil Engineer Salary in Grand Island, NE: $93,301 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Grand Island, NE earns a median $93,301/year (≈ $44.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Grand Island's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.7), that paycheck buys what $107,667 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Grand Island, NE earn a median annual salary of $93,301, which reflects the distinct employment dynamics within the region. Compensation among civil engineers varies widely, ranging from $79,713 at the lower end to $134,722 for those in more senior positions or specialized roles. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, illustrates a competitive but localized job market, where pay scales differ significantly based on sector. Employers in the area include consulting firms such as AECOM and Jacobs, governmental organizations like the Department of Transportation (DOT), and construction companies that shape the upper echelons of the pay structure. Understanding what drives these differences can help aspiring civil engineers navigate their career paths in Grand Island's diverse job landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,713 | $38.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,177 | $40.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,301 | $44.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $129,242 | $62.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,722 | $64.77 |
Median Salary Position
9.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Island
In Grand Island, NE, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,009 (2026 est.). At $93,301, the local median is 9.85% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grand Island: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Grand Island Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Grand Island median: $93,301/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Island Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $94,722 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -9.85% less |
Civil Engineers in Grand Island, NE earn a median of $93,301 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.85% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.50% below the Nebraska state average of $94,722.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Island has a cost of living 13.34% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Island, NE has a cost-of-living index of 86.657 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $93,301 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $107,667 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.4% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,860
2025 BLS Actual
$90,910
2026 Current Est.
$93,301
2019–2027 Growth
+37.1%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Grand Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,860 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,430 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,379 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,910 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,301 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,755 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Island metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 30.1% from $69,860 (2019) to $90,910 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,755 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,895 (37.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Island metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $79,713 – $84,177 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,177 – $93,301 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,301 – $129,242 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $129,242 – $134,722 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Grand Island
The local job market, housing around 40 civil engineers, reflects a modest yet stable demand within the community. With a cost-of-living index of 86.657, the real purchasing power for civil engineers in Grand Island is favorable compared to the national average, allowing for a comfortable lifestyle despite the average salary's relative position to the national median of $103,492. Among local employers, top consulting firms tend to offer the highest salaries, significantly impacted by engineering specialties such as structural or geotechnical engineering, as well as professional licensure paths. Achieving a PE license can unlock higher pay brackets, while involvement in major infrastructure projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law can lead to lucrative career opportunities. Civil engineers aiming to maximize their pay should consider building relationships with premier consulting firms, pursuing further licensure, and aligning themselves with private sector projects to take full advantage of Grand Island’s evolving engineering demands.
More salary data for Grand Island, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Chen, P.E.
Career Analyst
Jordan Chen has 10 years of experience in structural engineering. He works primarily in urban infrastructure projects.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $90,910 for civil engineersin the Grand Island metropolitan area. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for civil engineers (SOC 17-2051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov