Civil Engineer Salary in Linden, NJ: $116,724 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Linden, NJ earns a median $116,724/year (≈ $56.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Linden's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $101,323 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a civil engineer salary in Linden, NJ is projected to reach a median annual figure of $116,724, which notably eclipses the national median of $103,492 by 12.79%. Salary estimates show a range from about $78,852 for entry-level positions to as high as $180,916 for top earners. Figures presented draw from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities in New Jersey, reflecting the unique demands and cost dynamics of the local economy. These compensation rates highlight Linden’s attractive offering for civil engineers, particularly as professionals progress from the FE to PE licensure, where holding a PE can significantly boost earning potential and job opportunities.
About the Linden Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,852 | $37.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,147 | $43.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $116,724 | $56.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $147,270 | $70.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $180,916 | $86.98 |
Median Salary Position
12.79% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Linden
In Linden, NJ, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $102,064 (2026 est.). At $116,724, the local median is 12.79% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Linden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Linden Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Linden median: $116,724/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Linden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $119,228 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | +12.79% more |
Civil Engineers in Linden, NJ earn a median of $116,724 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.79% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 2.10% below the New Jersey state average of $119,228.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Linden has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Linden, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $116,724 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,323 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,191
2025 BLS Actual
$113,733
2026 Current Est.
$116,724
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Linden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,191 | Actual |
| 2020 | $99,894 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,308 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,439 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,703 | Actual |
| 2025 | $113,733 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,724 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,794 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Linden metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $98,191 (2019) to $113,733 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,794 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,603 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Linden 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) | $78,852 – $91,147 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,147 – $116,724 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $116,724 – $147,270 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $147,270 – $180,916 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Linden
The local market in Linden currently employs seven civil engineers, suggesting a niche yet stable demand for this profession. The cost-of-living index of 115.2 indicates that living expenses are higher than the national average, necessitating an adequate salary to maintain purchasing power. Employers in Linden, including notable engineering consulting firms such as AECOM and Jacobs, tend to pay more competitive salaries compared to local public works departments and small firms. The differential in compensation can often be traced back to factors such as project types, required specialties—like structural or geotechnical engineering—and the importance of a PE license, which is essential for advancing into senior positions or project management roles. To maximize pay in this market, aspiring engineers should focus on gaining relevant certifications, enhancing their specialization, and exploring opportunities within larger firms that engage in infrastructure projects funded by recent federal initiatives.
More salary data for Linden, 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 $113,733 for civil engineersin the Linden 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 Linden 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