Civil Engineer Salary in Cary, NC: $103,612 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Cary, NC earns a median $103,612/year (≈ $49.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Cary's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $110,697 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.9% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The civil engineer salary in Cary, NC, is projected to reach a competitive $103,612 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $103,492. This vibrant market benefits from significant infrastructure spending driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, stimulating demand for engineering professionals. The salary range for civil engineers in Cary reflects this demand, spanning from $72,298 at the 10th percentile to $160,599 at the 90th percentile. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data suggest that the local salary landscape is favorable for civil engineers, with salaries reflecting both the growing need for modern infrastructure and the complexity of engineering roles in the area.
About the Cary Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,298 | $34.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,342 | $40.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,612 | $49.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $132,205 | $63.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $160,599 | $77.21 |
Median Salary Position
0.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cary
In Cary, NC, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $88,301 (2026 est.). At $103,612, the local median is 0.12% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cary: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cary Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Cary median: $103,612/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cary Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $96,924 | +6.90% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +0.12% more |
Civil Engineers in Cary, NC earn a median of $103,612 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.12% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 6.90% above the North Carolina state average of $96,924.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cary has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cary, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $103,612 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $110,697 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,161
2025 BLS Actual
$100,957
2026 Current Est.
$103,612
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Cary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,161 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,673 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,152 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,044 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,001 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,559 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,957 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,612 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,337 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cary metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $87,161 (2019) to $100,957 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,337 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,176 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cary 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) | $72,298 – $83,342 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,342 – $103,612 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,612 – $132,205 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $132,205 – $160,599 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Cary
Analyzing the local job market, Cary employs around 44 civil engineers, reflecting a solid level of activity amid a cost-of-living index of 93.6, which allows for greater purchasing power compared to many other regions. Employers such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP are known for offering higher pay levels, largely influenced by their involvement in large-scale projects funded by the recent infrastructure initiatives. Differences in civil engineer pay in Cary NC arise from factors like possessing a PE license, specialization in fields like structural or geotechnical engineering, and varying firm prestige. Professionals seeking to maximize their salaries in this market would benefit from pursuing licensure, enhancing their technical skills, and considering opportunities with top consulting firms or in federal roles to capture the higher end of the salary spectrum.
More salary data for Cary, NC:
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 $100,957 for civil engineersin the Cary 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 Cary 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