Civil Engineer Salary in Buffalo, NY: $99,613 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Buffalo, NY earns a median $99,613/year (≈ $47.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Buffalo's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $103,932 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Buffalo, New York, civil engineers can expect a median annual salary of $99,613 in 2026, reflecting a competitive market shaped significantly by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). With salaries ranging from $73,914 at the 10th percentile to $154,253 at the 90th percentile, the demand for engineering professionals has been bolstered by various infrastructure projects funded under this legislation. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, this salary insight highlights the steady hiring trends amidst ongoing investments in local infrastructure. The Buffalo area has witnessed an uptick in job opportunities, indicating a favorable environment for specialization and advancement in civil engineering roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,914 | $35.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,617 | $39.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,613 | $47.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $131,182 | $63.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $154,253 | $74.16 |
Median Salary Position
3.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buffalo
In Buffalo, NY, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $80,339 (2026 est.). At $99,613, the local median is 3.75% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buffalo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Buffalo Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Buffalo median: $99,613/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buffalo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $100,721 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -3.75% less |
Civil Engineers in Buffalo, NY earn a median of $99,613 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.75% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.10% below the New York state average of $100,721.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buffalo has a cost of living 4.16% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Buffalo, NY has a cost-of-living index of 95.844 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $99,613 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $103,932 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.34% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,560
2025 BLS Actual
$97,060
2026 Current Est.
$99,613
2019–2027 Growth
+20.9%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Buffalo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,560 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,140 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,613 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,232 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buffalo metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 14.8% from $84,560 (2019) to $97,060 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,232 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,672 (20.90%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buffalo 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) | $73,914 – $82,617 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,617 – $99,613 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,613 – $131,182 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $131,182 – $154,253 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Buffalo
The job market for civil engineers in Buffalo currently encompasses approximately 930 professionals, presenting a robust employment landscape. Notably, the cost of living index for the area is 95.844, which is below the national average, enhancing the local purchasing power for residents. Among the highest-paying employers are major engineering consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, as well as Fortune 500 construction companies like Bechtel and Kiewit, which often lead in compensation packages. Factors contributing to the salary diversity include the necessity of a Professional Engineer (PE) license, which dramatically influences earnings potential, and specialization in areas such as structural or geotechnical engineering. Moreover, those aiming to maximize their civil engineer pay in Buffalo NY should consider pathways in project management and seek opportunities that leverage the ongoing BIL investment in infrastructure, thus aligning their career trajectories with sectors experiencing significant growth.
More salary data for Buffalo, NY:
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 $97,060 for civil engineersin the Buffalo 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