Civil Engineer Salary in Berkeley, NJ: $116,798 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Berkeley, NJ earns a median $116,798/year (≈ $56.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Berkeley's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $101,387 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Berkeley, New Jersey, civil engineers can expect a median annual salary of $116,798 in 2026, which signifies a competitive payout compared to the national median of $103,492. The salary range for civil engineering roles in this locality spans from $78,532 at the lower end (P10) to $181,037 at the higher end (P90), illustrating the diverse compensation landscape influenced by factors such as firm type. Salaries can vary significantly depending on employers, with top consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs typically offering higher compensation packages than government positions with state Department of Transportation roles, reflecting the different demand and project nature within the civil engineering sector. This competitive salary structure indicates not only the opportunities available in the area but also the critical role civil engineering plays within Berkeley's infrastructure growth.
About the Berkeley Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,532 | $37.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,296 | $43.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $116,798 | $56.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $144,757 | $69.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $181,037 | $87.04 |
Median Salary Position
12.86% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Berkeley
In Berkeley, NJ, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $102,505 (2026 est.). At $116,798, the local median is 12.86% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Berkeley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Berkeley Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Berkeley median: $116,798/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Berkeley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $119,182 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | +12.86% more |
Civil Engineers in Berkeley, NJ earn a median of $116,798 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.86% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 2.00% below the New Jersey state average of $119,182.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Berkeley has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Berkeley, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $116,798 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,387 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,253
2025 BLS Actual
$113,805
2026 Current Est.
$116,798
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Berkeley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,253 | Actual |
| 2020 | $99,957 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,371 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,504 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,219 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,786 | Actual |
| 2025 | $113,805 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,798 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,870 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Berkeley metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $98,253 (2019) to $113,805 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,870 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,617 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Berkeley 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) | $78,532 – $91,296 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,296 – $116,798 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $116,798 – $144,757 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $144,757 – $181,037 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Berkeley
With only seven civil engineers currently employed in Berkeley, the job market is relatively small yet specialized, benefitting from the implications of the high cost of living, which sits at a CoL index of 115.2. This affects the effective purchasing power of take-home salaries, emphasizing the need for prospective employees to consider firm types and specialization in their job search. While engineering consulting firms generally provide the most lucrative pay, those seeking to maximize their earnings should also explore project management or acquire a PE license, as it significantly boosts income potential. Moreover, trends show that the ongoing infrastructure spending, fueled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will continue to drive demand for civil engineers in Berkeley and could impact salary growth positively, particularly for those in technical roles and senior positions.
More salary data for Berkeley, NJ:
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 $113,805 for civil engineersin the Berkeley 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 Berkeley 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