Civil Engineer Salary in Wayne, NJ: $116,742 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Wayne, NJ earns a median $116,742/year (≈ $56.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Wayne's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $101,339 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Wayne, New Jersey, can expect a median annual salary of $116,742, positioning this city 12.80% above the national median of $103,492 for the same year. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, with the lowest earners making around $82,057 and the highest reaching up to $180,950. These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations. Notably, the divergent pay scales in Wayne are influenced by the sector of employment; civil engineers working in senior roles at consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs tend to earn more compared to those employed by government agencies or local construction firms. As the job market evolves, the competitive salaries offered in Wayne may attract a diverse array of talent in civil engineering.
About the Wayne Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,057 | $39.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,397 | $43.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $116,742 | $56.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $149,429 | $71.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $180,950 | $87.00 |
Median Salary Position
12.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wayne
In Wayne, NJ, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $98,893 (2026 est.). At $116,742, the local median is 12.8% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wayne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wayne Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Wayne median: $116,742/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wayne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $119,246 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | +12.80% more |
Civil Engineers in Wayne, NJ earn a median of $116,742 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.80% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 2.10% below the New Jersey state average of $119,246.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wayne has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wayne, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $116,742 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,339 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,206
2025 BLS Actual
$113,750
2026 Current Est.
$116,742
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Wayne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,206 | Actual |
| 2020 | $99,909 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,323 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,455 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,166 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,723 | Actual |
| 2025 | $113,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,742 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,812 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wayne metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $98,206 (2019) to $113,750 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,812 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,606 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wayne 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) | $82,057 – $91,397 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,397 – $116,742 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $116,742 – $149,429 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $149,429 – $180,950 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Wayne
With only ten civil engineers currently employed in Wayne, the job market remains relatively niche, yet the demand for such professionals is bolstered by ongoing infrastructure investments, particularly those funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The local cost of living index stands at 115.2, indicating that while salaries may be competitive, the take-home purchasing power could be stretched. Among employers, top consulting firms tend to offer the highest salaries, driven by the complexity of projects and the need for specialized skills, such as those required for structural or geotechnical engineering. Factors contributing to the salary spectrum include whether an engineer holds a professional engineer (PE) license, the firm's tier, and the project manager's career track versus technical positions. To maximize civil engineer pay in Wayne, professionals should focus on gaining licensure, seeking out opportunities in high-demand specialties, and pursuing roles at leading consulting firms where compensation tends to be highest.
More salary data for Wayne, 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 $113,750 for civil engineersin the Wayne 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 Wayne 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