Civil Engineer Salary in East Orange, NJ: $120,868 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in East Orange, NJ earns a median $120,868/year (≈ $58.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in East Orange's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $104,920 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in East Orange, NJ, are benefiting from a robust job market influenced by the recent Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has spurred significant infrastructure spending. With a projected median annual salary of $120,868 for 2026, local compensation is notably higher than the national median of $103,492, marking a 16.79% uptick. The salary range in East Orange reflects a diverse spectrum within the profession, spanning from $82,049 at the 10th percentile to $187,346 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected for 2026, and adjusted for local market conditions. As the demand for skilled civil engineers continues to rise, particularly with major projects funded by federal initiatives, the local job market presents ample opportunities for those entering the field or seeking advancement.
About the East Orange Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,049 | $39.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,446 | $44.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $120,868 | $58.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,143 | $74.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $187,346 | $90.07 |
Median Salary Position
16.79% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in East Orange
In East Orange, NJ, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $105,297 (2026 est.). At $120,868, the local median is 16.79% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in East Orange: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How East Orange Civil Engineer Pay Compares
East Orange median: $120,868/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | East Orange Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $119,200 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +16.79% more |
Civil Engineers in East Orange, NJ earn a median of $120,868 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.79% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 1.40% above the New Jersey state average of $119,200.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
East Orange has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
East Orange, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $120,868 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $104,920 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,677
2025 BLS Actual
$117,771
2026 Current Est.
$120,868
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in East Orange (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,677 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,441 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,834 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,041 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,990 | Actual |
| 2024 | $134,308 | Actual |
| 2025 | $117,771 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $120,868 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,047 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the East Orange metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $101,677 (2019) to $117,771 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,047 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,370 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the East Orange 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) | $82,049 – $92,446 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,446 – $120,868 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $120,868 – $154,143 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,143 – $187,346 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in East Orange
In terms of employment, East Orange currently has nine civil engineers, indicating a selective but stable job market. The area's cost of living index sits at 115.2, which means that while salaries are competitive, engineers must navigate a higher cost of housing and daily expenses compared to national averages. Employers that typically offer competitive pay include prominent engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, as well as construction companies and various federal agencies. The disparity in salaries often stems from factors such as licensure status, specialization in areas like structural or geotechnical engineering, and the tier of the company, with top-tier firms often providing the best compensation. For civil engineers in East Orange looking to maximize their pay, obtaining a PE license, pursuing roles with high-demand specializations, and considering positions within the growing number of infrastructure projects could significantly enhance their earning potential.
More salary data for East Orange, 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 $117,771 for civil engineersin the East Orange 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 East Orange 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