Civil Engineer Salary in Bridgewater, NJ: $117,409 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Bridgewater, NJ earns a median $117,409/year (≈ $56.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Bridgewater's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $101,918 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bridgewater, New Jersey, civil engineer salaries are projected to reach a median annual figure of $117,409 in 2026, marking a significant advantage compared to the national median of $103,492. The salary range for these professionals varies widely, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $79,965 and experienced engineers earning upwards of $179,463. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, reflecting local economic conditions and demand. The trajectory of civil engineer compensation in Bridgewater highlights the potential rewards of obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license, which typically enhances earning potential significantly as professionals progress into higher roles.
About the Bridgewater Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,965 | $38.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,528 | $44.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $117,409 | $56.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,247 | $70.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $179,463 | $86.28 |
Median Salary Position
13.45% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bridgewater
In Bridgewater, NJ, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $99,498 (2026 est.). At $117,409, the local median is 13.45% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bridgewater: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bridgewater Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Bridgewater median: $117,409/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bridgewater Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $119,197 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | +13.45% more |
Civil Engineers in Bridgewater, NJ earn a median of $117,409 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.45% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 1.50% below the New Jersey state average of $119,197.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bridgewater has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bridgewater, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $117,409 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,918 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,767
2025 BLS Actual
$114,400
2026 Current Est.
$117,409
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Bridgewater (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,767 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,034 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,784 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,464 | Actual |
| 2025 | $114,400 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,409 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $120,497 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bridgewater metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $98,767 (2019) to $114,400 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $120,497 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,730 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bridgewater 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) | $79,965 – $92,528 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,528 – $117,409 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $117,409 – $146,247 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,247 – $179,463 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Bridgewater
A total of 10 civil engineers are currently employed in Bridgewater, NJ, indicating a relatively niche market for engineering talent. However, the cost of living index stands at 115.2, which exceeds the national average and can impact overall purchasing power for engineers. Notably, employers like AECOM and Jacobs are among the top payers, reflecting a competitive landscape dominated by premier engineering consulting firms. The variance in salaries can be attributed to factors such as licensure status, area of specialization (e.g., structural versus geotechnical), and the type of firm, as larger consulting firms tend to offer better compensation compared to smaller entities. Given the ongoing infrastructure investments driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, civil engineers in Bridgewater may find that expanding their skill set and focusing on high-demand specialties can further maximize their earning potential in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Bridgewater, 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 $114,400 for civil engineersin the Bridgewater 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 Bridgewater 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