Civil Engineer Salary in Paterson, NJ: $119,139 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Paterson, NJ earns a median $119,139/year (≈ $57.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Paterson's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $103,419 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Paterson, New Jersey, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $119,139, which is 15.12% higher than the national median of $103,492. Salaries in this field in Paterson range significantly, from $82,159 at the 10th percentile to as high as $184,665 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors. The civil engineering job market in Paterson features distinctive compensation differences based on the type of employer, with consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs typically offering higher pay compared to government positions at the Department of Transportation or local public works departments.
About the Paterson Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,159 | $39.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,982 | $45.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $119,139 | $57.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $152,498 | $73.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $184,665 | $88.79 |
Median Salary Position
15.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Paterson
In Paterson, NJ, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $102,506 (2026 est.). At $119,139, the local median is 15.12% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Paterson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Paterson Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Paterson median: $119,139/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Paterson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $119,258 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | +15.12% more |
Civil Engineers in Paterson, NJ earn a median of $119,139 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.12% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 0.10% below the New Jersey state average of $119,258.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Paterson has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Paterson, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $119,139 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $103,419 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,223
2025 BLS Actual
$116,086
2026 Current Est.
$119,139
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Paterson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,223 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,961 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,362 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,538 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,388 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,386 | Actual |
| 2025 | $116,086 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,139 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $122,272 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Paterson metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $100,223 (2019) to $116,086 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $122,272 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,049 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Paterson 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) | $82,159 – $94,982 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,982 – $119,139 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $119,139 – $152,498 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $152,498 – $184,665 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Paterson
Currently, there are 31 civil engineers employed in Paterson, highlighting a moderate presence in the local job market despite the higher cost of living index of 115.2. This index indicates that purchasing power is somewhat diminished when everyday expenses are considered. Overall, the highest salaries tend to be offered by engineering consulting firms, many of which are engaged in federal infrastructure projects bolstered by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The notable spread between the low and high salaries can be attributed to factors such as the attainment of a PE license, specialization areas, and the tier of the employing firm. Successful civil engineers in Paterson may enhance their pay by pursuing advanced credentials, actively managing projects, or focusing on lucrative specialties like structural or geotechnical engineering. In an environment shaped by ongoing infrastructure developments and increased demand, aligning career paths toward private sector opportunities, particularly with top-tier consulting firms, is likely to yield the best financial rewards.
More salary data for Paterson, 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 $116,086 for civil engineersin the Paterson 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 Paterson 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