Civil Engineer Salary in Los Alamos, NM: $90,046 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Los Alamos, NM earns a median $90,046/year (≈ $43.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Los Alamos's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $95,388 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.8% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
An influx of infrastructure spending from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has significantly influenced the job market for civil engineers in Los Alamos, NM. In 2026, a civil engineer can expect a median annual salary of $90,046, with the salary range spanning from $65,628 at the 10th percentile to $139,054 at the 90th percentile. These figures come from estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, taking into account regional price adjustments. This competitive salary landscape reflects a growing demand for qualified professionals in the city, driven by ongoing projects and a robust local economy that prioritizes infrastructure development.
About the Los Alamos Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,628 | $31.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,790 | $35.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,046 | $43.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,925 | $54.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139,054 | $66.85 |
Median Salary Position
12.99% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Alamos
In Los Alamos, NM, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,426 (2026 est.). At $90,046, the local median is 12.99% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Los Alamos: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Los Alamos Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Los Alamos median: $90,046/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Alamos Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $97,663 | -7.80% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -12.99% less |
Civil Engineers in Los Alamos, NM earn a median of $90,046 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.99% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 7.80% below the New Mexico state average of $97,663.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Alamos has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Alamos, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $90,046 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,388 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,748
2025 BLS Actual
$87,738
2026 Current Est.
$90,046
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Los Alamos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,748 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,062 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,610 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,254 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,431 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,047 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,738 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,046 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,414 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Alamos metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $75,748 (2019) to $87,738 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,414 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,666 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Alamos 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) | $65,628 – $73,790 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,790 – $90,046 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,046 – $113,925 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,925 – $139,054 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Los Alamos
The local job market in Los Alamos contains a small yet promising cohort of six civil engineers currently employed, indicating niche opportunities amid the competitiveness of the field. With a cost-of-living index of 94.4, affordability is comparatively favorable, allowing professionals to enjoy a more sustainable living. To maximize earnings, aspiring engineers should consider targeting roles with prominent firms such as AECOM and Jacobs, which consistently offer higher pay than their competitors. Factors such as obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license can open doors to senior positions that feature significant pay differentials, while specializing in areas like structural or geotechnical engineering may also lead to premium salaries. Understanding the distinctions between government jobs and private sector opportunities can further enhance career prospects in this evolving market.
More salary data for Los Alamos, 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 $87,738 for civil engineersin the Los Alamos 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 Los Alamos 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