Civil Engineer Salary in Chapel Hill, NC: $97,216 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Chapel Hill, NC earns a median $97,216/year (≈ $46.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Chapel Hill's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $103,863 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $97,216 in 2026, which reflects a competitive local market when compared to the national median of $103,492. The salary range for this profession locally spans from $63,554 at the 10th percentile to $150,685 at the 90th percentile, indicating substantial variability based on factors such as employer type and level of expertise. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data suggest a distinct division in pay within the civil engineering sector, particularly when comparing positions in consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs versus state and government roles at the Department of Transportation. Given Chapel Hill's unique position, with a relatively low cost-of-living index of 93.6, employment opportunities in the area may draw interest from both recent graduates and seasoned professionals seeking to balance salary and lifestyle.
About the Chapel Hill Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,554 | $30.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,654 | $35.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,216 | $46.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $124,278 | $59.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $150,685 | $72.45 |
Median Salary Position
6.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chapel Hill
In Chapel Hill, NC, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $87,131 (2026 est.). At $97,216, the local median is 6.06% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chapel Hill: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chapel Hill Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Chapel Hill median: $97,216/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chapel Hill Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $96,925 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -6.06% less |
Civil Engineers in Chapel Hill, NC earn a median of $97,216 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.06% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.30% above the North Carolina state average of $96,925.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chapel Hill 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.
Chapel Hill, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $97,216 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $103,863 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,781
2025 BLS Actual
$94,725
2026 Current Est.
$97,216
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Chapel Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,781 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,199 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,711 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,486 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,075 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,964 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,725 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,216 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,773 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chapel Hill metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $81,781 (2019) to $94,725 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,773 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,992 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chapel Hill 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) | $63,554 – $74,654 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,654 – $97,216 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,216 – $124,278 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $124,278 – $150,685 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Chapel Hill
As of now, only nine civil engineers are employed in Chapel Hill, signifying a niche job market. While the cost of living is below the national average, this benefits the overall purchasing power of civil engineer pay in Chapel Hill, NC. Employers offering the highest salaries typically include top-tier consulting firms and Fortune 500 construction companies, along with some local public works departments. The difference in compensation can also hinge on factors such as having a PE license, which significantly enhances earning potential and career advancement prospects. Additionally, the evolving infrastructure landscape fueled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law presents new projects that may offer even better compensation in the coming years. To maximize earnings in this specific market, civil engineers should consider gaining specializations, pursuing advanced qualifications, and networking within the regional engineering community.
More salary data for Chapel Hill, 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 $94,725 for civil engineersin the Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill 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