Civil Engineer Salary in Elmira, NY: $93,773 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Elmira, NY earns a median $93,773/year (≈ $45.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Elmira's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $99,338 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.9% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Elmira, New York, can expect a median annual salary of $93,773. This figure reflects a promising job market for professionals in the field, especially when considering that salaries range from $70,209 for entry-level positions (P10) to $139,269 for the most experienced engineers (P90). 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS data indicate that despite being nearly 9.39% lower than the national median salary of $103,492, Elmira's competitive compensation illustrates the importance of factors like licensure progression from EIT to PE, which significantly influences salary potential. As the employment landscape evolves, opportunities for civil engineers remain robust, particularly due to increasing infrastructure investments and development projects in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,209 | $33.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,193 | $40.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,773 | $45.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,355 | $51.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139,269 | $66.96 |
Median Salary Position
9.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elmira
In Elmira, NY, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,060 (2026 est.). At $93,773, the local median is 9.39% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elmira: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elmira Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Elmira median: $93,773/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elmira Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $100,723 | -6.90% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -9.39% less |
Civil Engineers in Elmira, NY earn a median of $93,773 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.39% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 6.90% below the New York state average of $100,723.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elmira 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.
Elmira, NY has a cost-of-living index of 94.398 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $93,773 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,338 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,760
2025 BLS Actual
$91,370
2026 Current Est.
$93,773
2019–2027 Growth
+27.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Elmira (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,850 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,370 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,773 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,239 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elmira metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 20.6% from $75,760 (2019) to $91,370 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,239 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,479 (27.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elmira 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) | $70,209 – $85,193 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,193 – $93,773 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,773 – $106,355 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,355 – $139,269 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Elmira
For civil engineers currently working in Elmira, the job market shows vibrant prospects with around 40 professionals employed locally. However, the relatively low cost-of-living index of 94.398 means take-home pay goes further in this area. Employers that typically pay higher salaries include esteemed engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, along with large construction companies such as Bechtel and Kiewit. The disparity between different salary levels can often be attributed to factors such as specialization—be it structural, geotechnical, or transportation engineering—and the type of firm, with notable differences found between consulting, government positions, and private sector roles. To optimize salary potential, aspiring engineers should pursue PE licensure while targeting firms actively involved in BIL-funded projects, as they are more likely to offer competitive pay packages.
More salary data for Elmira, 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 $91,370 for civil engineersin the Elmira 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