Civil Engineer Salary in Howell, NJ: $119,282 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Howell, NJ earns a median $119,282/year (≈ $57.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Howell's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $103,543 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, civil engineers in Howell, NJ, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $119,282, reflecting a 15.26% increase over the national median of $103,492. The salary range for this profession varies widely, with the lowest earners making approximately $78,406 and the highest reaching up to $184,887. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price differences, indicate a robust local job market for civil engineering. The timing of the FE-to-PE progression is critical, as obtaining a Professional Engineer license can significantly boost compensation. As the market in Howell continues to evolve, new graduates and seasoned professionals alike should be aware of the financial benefits that licensure brings.
About the Howell Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,406 | $37.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,920 | $44.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $119,282 | $57.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $150,379 | $72.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $184,887 | $88.89 |
Median Salary Position
15.26% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Howell
In Howell, NJ, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $106,481 (2026 est.). At $119,282, the local median is 15.26% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Howell: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Howell Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Howell median: $119,282/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Howell Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $103,492 | +15.26% more |
Civil Engineers in Howell, NJ earn a median of $119,282 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.26% higher than the national median of $103,492.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Howell has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Howell, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $119,282 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $103,543 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,343
2025 BLS Actual
$116,225
2026 Current Est.
$119,282
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Howell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,343 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,083 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,484 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,662 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,545 | Actual |
| 2025 | $116,225 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,282 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $122,419 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Howell metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $100,343 (2019) to $116,225 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $122,419 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,076 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Howell 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) | $78,406 – $91,920 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,920 – $119,282 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $119,282 – $150,379 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $150,379 – $184,887 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Howell
Analyzing the job market further reveals that there are currently 11 civil engineers employed in Howell, positioning this locale as an emerging hub for engineering talent. The cost of living index, set at 115.2, suggests that while salaries are competitive, they must accommodate higher living expenses, which can affect overall purchasing power. Engineering consulting firms, particularly larger players like AECOM and Jacobs, tend to offer the highest salaries for civil engineer pay in Howell NJ. The salary variance can be attributed to factors such as specialization—structural, geotechnical, or transportation engineers may command higher wages—as well as the tier of the employing firm. Those looking to maximize pay should consider pursuing a PE license, focusing on high-demand specialties, and choosing positions within top-tier firms that benefit from infrastructure funding, particularly those associated with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In a market that continues to experience growth, aligning one’s career trajectory with these trends could yield substantial financial rewards.
More salary data for Howell, 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 $116,225 for civil engineersin the Howell 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 Howell 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