Civil Engineer Salary in Las Cruces, NM: $89,904 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Las Cruces, NM earns a median $89,904/year (≈ $43.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Las Cruces's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.2), that paycheck buys what $99,659 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.0% below the New Mexico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the civil engineer salary in Las Cruces, NM is projected to reach an impressive $89,904, reflecting a competitive position in the southwestern United States—though it remains about 13.13% lower than the national median salary of $103,492. The salary range for civil engineers in this area varies widely from $59,525 at the 10th percentile to $137,699 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. This financial landscape is influenced by the division between consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, government roles such as those within state DOTs, and construction companies. Each sector presents its own pay grade and opportunities, contributing to a varied employment scenario for the 140 civil engineers currently working in Las Cruces.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,525 | $28.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,758 | $33.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,904 | $43.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,175 | $53.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,699 | $66.21 |
Median Salary Position
13.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Las Cruces
In Las Cruces, NM, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,174 (2026 est.). At $89,904, the local median is 13.13% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Las Cruces: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Las Cruces Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Las Cruces median: $89,904/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Las Cruces Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $97,722 | -8.00% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -13.13% less |
Civil Engineers in Las Cruces, NM earn a median of $89,904 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.13% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 8.00% below the New Mexico state average of $97,722.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Las Cruces has a cost of living 9.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Las Cruces, NM has a cost-of-living index of 90.212 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $89,904 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,659 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.85% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,830
2025 BLS Actual
$87,600
2026 Current Est.
$89,904
2019–2027 Growth
+25.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Las Cruces (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,830 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,800 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,590 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,600 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,904 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,268 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Las Cruces metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 18.7% from $73,830 (2019) to $87,600 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,268 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,438 (24.97%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Las Cruces 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) | $59,525 – $69,758 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,758 – $89,904 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,904 – $112,175 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,175 – $137,699 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Las Cruces
However, the local job market's dynamics are influenced not only by salary figures but also by the cost of living, which sits at an index of 90.212. This lower cost of living can enhance the purchasing power of civil engineer pay in Las Cruces NM, making it an attractive option for professionals considering relocation. Among employers, engineering consulting firms typically offer higher compensation than local public works departments or smaller construction companies. The spread between low and high salaries for civil engineers is often driven by factors such as licensure, specialties in fields like structural or geotechnical engineering, and firm size. For those aiming to maximize their earning potential, pursuing a PE license can open doors to senior positions, while focusing on specialized areas can command premium pay. The current infrastructure spending boom, characterized by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, is also a significant factor that enhances job prospects and salary growth for civil engineers in the area.
More salary data for Las Cruces, NM:
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 $87,600 for civil engineersin the Las Cruces 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