Civil Engineer Salary in Syracuse, NY: $105,021 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Syracuse, NY earns a median $105,021/year (≈ $50.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Syracuse's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.7), that paycheck buys what $109,692 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The civil engineer salary in Syracuse, NY, is projected to reach $105,021 by 2026, reflecting the growth fueled by significant infrastructure spending under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The comprehensive pay range ranges from $74,006 at the lower end to $169,165 at the upper echelon, revealing a wide spectrum influenced by various factors such as experience, specialization, and the specific employer. This data is derived from the 2025 BLS OEWS survey, visualizing the local market's robust demand for civil engineering professionals as they contribute to essential projects driving economic and infrastructural development in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,006 | $35.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,202 | $40.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,021 | $50.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $134,907 | $64.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169,165 | $81.32 |
Median Salary Position
1.48% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Syracuse
In Syracuse, NY, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $95,159 (2026 est.). At $105,021, the local median is 1.48% above the national median of $103,492.
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At 40 hours/week in Syracuse: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Syracuse Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Syracuse median: $105,021/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Syracuse Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $100,788 | +4.20% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +1.48% more |
Civil Engineers in Syracuse, NY earn a median of $105,021 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.48% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 4.20% above the New York state average of $100,788.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Syracuse has a cost of living 4.26% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Syracuse, NY has a cost-of-living index of 95.742 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $105,021 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,692 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.45% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,810
2025 BLS Actual
$102,330
2026 Current Est.
$105,021
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Syracuse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,810 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,330 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,021 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,783 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Syracuse metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 17.9% from $86,810 (2019) to $102,330 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,783 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,973 (24.16%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Syracuse 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) | $74,006 – $83,202 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,202 – $105,021 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,021 – $134,907 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $134,907 – $169,165 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Syracuse
In Syracuse, there are approximately 830 civil engineers contributing to the local economy, which emphasizes a healthy job market for this profession. With a cost-of-living index of 95.742, the purchasing power of civil engineer pay in Syracuse NY allows for a comfortable standard of living, particularly when compared to national averages. Notably, larger engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs tend to offer higher salaries, often due to their extensive project portfolios and the complexity of their engineering solutions. The discrepancy between entry-level and more senior positions, particularly for those with a PE license, underscores the importance of credentials in this sector. Furthermore, pursuing specialization in areas such as structural or geotechnical engineering can lead to higher compensation. To maximize earning potential in the Syracuse market, civil engineers should seek opportunities to advance their qualifications, develop expertise in high-demand subspecialties, and consider positions with top-tier consulting firms or government agencies that allocate significant resources towards infrastructure initiatives.
More salary data for Syracuse, 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 $102,330 for civil engineersin the Syracuse 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