Civil Engineer Salary in Papillion, NE: $88,084 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Papillion, NE earns a median $88,084/year (≈ $42.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Papillion's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $96,267 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Papillion, Nebraska, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $88,084, which reflects a notable disparity compared to the national median of $103,492. The salary range in the area spans from $65,938 at the 10th percentile to $134,503 at the 90th percentile, indicating a competitive pay scale influenced by various factors within the local job market. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments highlight the differences between positions in consulting firms such as AECOM and Jacobs versus roles in state or local government agencies, including the Department of Transportation. As the infrastructure sector continues to thrive, these positions represent not just salaries, but gateways to career advancement in a city poised for growth.
About the Papillion Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,938 | $31.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,169 | $35.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,084 | $42.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,502 | $53.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,503 | $64.67 |
Median Salary Position
14.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Papillion
In Papillion, NE, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,565 (2026 est.). At $88,084, the local median is 14.89% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Papillion: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Papillion Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Papillion median: $88,084/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Papillion Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $94,714 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -14.89% less |
Civil Engineers in Papillion, NE earn a median of $88,084 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.89% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 7.00% below the Nebraska state average of $94,714.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Papillion has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Papillion, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $88,084 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,267 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,099
2025 BLS Actual
$85,827
2026 Current Est.
$88,084
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Papillion (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,099 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,384 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,941 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,550 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,614 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,899 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,827 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,084 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,401 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Papillion metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $74,099 (2019) to $85,827 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,401 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,302 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Papillion 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) | $65,938 – $73,169 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,169 – $88,084 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,084 – $110,502 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,502 – $134,503 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Papillion
The local market in Papillion currently employs five civil engineers, suggesting a tight-knit professional community. With a cost of living index of 91.5, salaries here afford engineers a reasonable purchasing power compared to national averages. Among the primary employers, engineering consulting firms tend to offer the most competitive salaries, which could be attributed to the complexity and specialization of projects that these firms undertake. Factors contributing to salary variances include the civil engineer's experience level, whether they hold a Professional Engineer (PE) license, and the tier of the firm—consulting firms generally pay more than government roles. As infrastructure spending increases due to initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, civil engineers have prime opportunities to maximize their pay. To achieve higher compensation, professionals may focus on obtaining specialized credentials or targeting positions in top-tier firms.
More salary data for Papillion, 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 $85,827 for civil engineersin the Papillion 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
Salary data for Papillion is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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