Civil Engineer Salary in Trenton, NJ: $103,749 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Trenton, NJ earns a median $103,749/year (≈ $49.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Trenton's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $100,551 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.0% below the New Jersey state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Civil engineers in Trenton, New Jersey, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $103,749 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $103,492. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, with the lower end starting at $73,791 and the upper end reaching $144,031, reflecting the diverse opportunities across different sectors. Employment sources indicate that many civil engineers in Trenton are either engaged in consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, working for state and local government bodies, or involved with construction companies. Each sector contributes distinctively to the overall salary structure, where those in consulting often see higher compensation compared to their government counterparts due to project demands and the need for specialized expertise.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,791 | $35.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,066 | $41.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,749 | $49.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $131,089 | $63.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $144,031 | $69.24 |
Median Salary Position
0.25% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Trenton
In Trenton, NJ, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,240 (2026 est.). At $103,749, the local median is 0.25% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Trenton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Trenton Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Trenton median: $103,749/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Trenton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $119,251 | -13.00% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | +0.25% more |
Civil Engineers in Trenton, NJ earn a median of $103,749 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.25% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 13.00% below the New Jersey state average of $119,251.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Trenton has a cost of living 3.18% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Trenton, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 103.18 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $103,749 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $100,551 — a 3.08% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$86,260
2025 BLS Actual
$101,090
2026 Current Est.
$103,749
2019–2027 Growth
+23.4%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Trenton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,710 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,749 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,477 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Trenton metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 17.2% from $86,260 (2019) to $101,090 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,477 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,217 (23.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Trenton 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) | $73,791 – $86,066 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,066 – $103,749 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,749 – $131,089 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $131,089 – $144,031 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Trenton
The job market for civil engineers in Trenton is robust, with around 1,100 professionals employed locally. The cost of living index at 103.18 suggests that while salaries are slightly higher than average, purchasing power can be affected by local expenses. Consulting firms typically offer the highest pay, particularly for those with a Professional Engineer (PE) license, which is critical for advancement into senior roles. The variation in salaries is driven by factors such as specialization—those in structural or transportation engineering often command higher wages—and the impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has increased the demand for skilled engineers. To maximize earning potential in Trenton, engineers should consider obtaining licensure, pursuing advanced specialties, and aligning with top-tier firms, all while remaining attuned to local market dynamics.
More salary data for Trenton, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do civil engineers make in Trenton, NJ in 2026?
Is Trenton, NJ a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Can civil engineers make $100K in Trenton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted civil engineer salary in Trenton?
How much does a civil engineer make per hour in Trenton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Jersey
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 $101,090 for civil engineersin the Trenton 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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