Civil Engineer Salary in Union City, NJ: $117,582 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Union City, NJ earns a median $117,582/year (≈ $56.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Union City's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $102,068 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Union City, NJ, the projected 2026 median annual salary for civil engineers stands at $117,582, reflecting a competitive advantage of approximately 13.61% over the national median salary of $103,492. The local salary range varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $83,987 and experienced roles reaching up to $182,252. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data adjusted for regional cost factors, indicating a strong market for civil engineers. This growth can be attributed to the ongoing infrastructure investments and the notable presence of both consulting firms and government agencies, creating a diverse employment landscape that appeals to various specialization preferences.
About the Union City Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,987 | $40.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,633 | $45.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $117,582 | $56.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $150,505 | $72.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $182,252 | $87.63 |
Median Salary Position
13.61% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Union City
In Union City, NJ, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $98,265 (2026 est.). At $117,582, the local median is 13.61% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Union City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Union City Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Union City median: $117,582/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Union City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $119,252 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | +13.61% more |
Civil Engineers in Union City, NJ earn a median of $117,582 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.61% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 1.40% below the New Jersey state average of $119,252.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Union City has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Union City, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $117,582 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $102,068 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,913
2025 BLS Actual
$114,569
2026 Current Est.
$117,582
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Union City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,913 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,628 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,038 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,185 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,945 | Actual |
| 2024 | $130,657 | Actual |
| 2025 | $114,569 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,582 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $120,675 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Union City metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $98,913 (2019) to $114,569 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $120,675 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,762 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Union City 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) | $83,987 – $95,633 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,633 – $117,582 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $117,582 – $150,505 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $150,505 – $182,252 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Union City
In Union City, 17 civil engineers are currently employed, a figure that underscores the localized demand for civil engineering talent. The cost of living index in this area sits at 115.2, suggesting that, while salaries may appear favorable, they must be weighed against higher living expenses. Among employers, top-tier engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs tend to offer the most lucrative salaries, particularly for those who hold a Professional Engineer (PE) license. The disparity between entry-level and experienced salaries can partially be explained by the specialized knowledge required in areas such as structural and geotechnical engineering, as well as the increased compensation often found in project management roles. With infrastructure spending on the rise, particularly in light of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, those looking to maximize their civil engineer pay in Union City should consider pursuing advanced credentials and seeking positions in the private sector where competition for expertise is keen.
More salary data for Union City, 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 $114,569 for civil engineersin the Union City 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 Union City 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