Civil Engineer Salary in Kearny, NJ: $115,337 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Kearny, NJ earns a median $115,337/year (≈ $55.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Kearny's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $100,119 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in Kearny, NJ, can expect a median annual salary of $115,337 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $103,492 by 11.45%. With a salary range from $85,023 at the lower tenth percentile to $178,772 at the ninetieth percentile, compensation reflects the competitive nature of this sector, driven by significant infrastructure spending through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). This funding has bolstered demand for engineering positions, resulting in an upward trajectory for civil engineer pay in Kearny, influenced by regional cost-of-living adjustments. As the local job market evolves, Kearny presents a promising landscape for civil engineers seeking robust employment opportunities.
About the Kearny Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,023 | $40.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,404 | $45.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $115,337 | $55.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $143,753 | $69.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $178,772 | $85.95 |
Median Salary Position
11.45% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearny
In Kearny, NJ, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $93,749 (2026 est.). At $115,337, the local median is 11.45% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kearny: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearny Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Kearny median: $115,337/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearny Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $119,273 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | +11.45% more |
Civil Engineers in Kearny, NJ earn a median of $115,337 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.45% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 3.30% below the New Jersey state average of $119,273.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kearny has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kearny, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $115,337 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $100,119 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$97,024
2025 BLS Actual
$112,381
2026 Current Est.
$115,337
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Kearny (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,024 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,707 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,127 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,234 | Actual |
| 2023 | $106,864 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,161 | Actual |
| 2025 | $112,381 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $115,337 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $118,370 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearny metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $97,024 (2019) to $112,381 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $118,370 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,346 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearny 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) | $85,023 – $95,404 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,404 – $115,337 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $115,337 – $143,753 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $143,753 – $178,772 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Kearny
In Kearny, there are currently only 11 civil engineers employed, indicating a specialized job market that can be both competitive and rewarding. The cost of living index stands at 115.2, suggesting that although salaries may be higher than the national average, the purchasing power for residents may be affected. Leading employers such as firms like AECOM and Jacobs, alongside major construction companies, tend to offer the highest salaries, capitalizing on the ongoing infrastructure boom. Factors contributing to the salary variance include the necessity of a Professional Engineer (PE) license for more senior roles, the influence of project specialization, and the tier of the employing firm—consulting firms typically outpace government positions in compensation. For those aiming to maximize their civil engineer pay in Kearny, obtaining licensure, expanding technical expertise in high-demand areas, and pursuing roles within top firms will prove beneficial.
More salary data for Kearny, 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 $112,381 for civil engineersin the Kearny 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 Kearny 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