Civil Engineer Salary in Hickory, NC: $97,211 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Hickory, NC earns a median $97,211/year (≈ $46.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Hickory's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.5), that paycheck buys what $109,860 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hickory, North Carolina, the civil engineer salary is projected to reach a median annual figure of $97,211 in 2026, reflecting a competitive pay structure in comparison to national benchmarks. The data indicates that wages will range from $66,391 at the 10th percentile to $158,615 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the diverse opportunities available in this field. This salary information, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the divide between employment sectors—consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, government entities such as the state DOT, and major construction companies significantly influence compensation levels. This context is critical for understanding the job market dynamics in Hickory, where varying employer types can lead to differing salary outcomes for civil engineers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,391 | $31.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,577 | $36.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,211 | $46.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,899 | $54.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $158,615 | $76.25 |
Median Salary Position
6.07% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hickory
In Hickory, NC, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $92,224 (2026 est.). At $97,211, the local median is 6.07% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hickory: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hickory Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Hickory median: $97,211/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hickory Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $96,920 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -6.07% less |
Civil Engineers in Hickory, NC earn a median of $97,211 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.07% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.30% above the North Carolina state average of $96,920.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hickory has a cost of living 11.51% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hickory, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.486 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $97,211 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,860 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.01% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$76,990
2025 BLS Actual
$94,720
2026 Current Est.
$97,211
2019–2027 Growth
+29.6%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Hickory (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,850 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,530 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,211 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,768 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hickory metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 23.0% from $76,990 (2019) to $94,720 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,768 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,778 (29.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hickory 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) | $66,391 – $75,577 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,577 – $97,211 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,211 – $113,899 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,899 – $158,615 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Hickory
Analysts note that the Hickory area employs approximately 130 civil engineers, which reflects a robust local job market within the engineering sector. With a cost-of-living index of 88.486, professionals in this region can enjoy relatively higher purchasing power compared to more expensive urban centers. Large consulting firms, particularly those with national reach, typically offer the highest wages, while local government positions may provide stable but lower pay rates. Additional factors such as possessing a PE license create pathways to better remuneration for experienced engineers, whereas those working in high-demand specialties—like structural and geotechnical engineering—can command higher salaries. As infrastructure investments prompted by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continue, engineers in Hickory should seek opportunities with top-tier firms or consider augmenting their credentials to maximize their earnings in this competitive market.
More salary data for Hickory, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do civil engineers make in Hickory, NC in 2026?
Is Hickory, NC a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Can civil engineers make $100K in Hickory?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted civil engineer salary in Hickory?
How much does a civil engineer make per hour in Hickory?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 $94,720 for civil engineersin the Hickory 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