Civil Engineer Salary in Kannapolis, NC: $97,819 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Kannapolis, NC earns a median $97,819/year (≈ $47.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Kannapolis's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $104,507 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in Kannapolis, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $97,819 in 2026, reflecting a robust job market influenced by substantial infrastructure investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). This financial commitment has spurred growth in local hiring, making civil engineering positions increasingly attractive. The anticipated salary range extends from $65,664 at the lower end (P10) to $151,619 at the upper end (P90), providing a wide spectrum of earning potential. Compensation figures are derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, revealing that Kannapolis is competitive in its offerings, though still slightly below the national median of $103,492.
About the Kannapolis Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,664 | $31.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,404 | $36.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,819 | $47.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $125,208 | $60.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $151,619 | $72.90 |
Median Salary Position
5.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kannapolis
In Kannapolis, NC, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $85,955 (2026 est.). At $97,819, the local median is 5.48% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kannapolis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kannapolis Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Kannapolis median: $97,819/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kannapolis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $96,946 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -5.48% less |
Civil Engineers in Kannapolis, NC earn a median of $97,819 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.48% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.90% above the North Carolina state average of $96,946.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kannapolis 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.
Kannapolis, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $97,819 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,507 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,287
2025 BLS Actual
$95,312
2026 Current Est.
$97,819
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Kannapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,287 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,715 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,223 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,633 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,898 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,312 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,819 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,391 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kannapolis metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $82,287 (2019) to $95,312 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,391 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,104 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kannapolis 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) | $65,664 – $76,404 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,404 – $97,819 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,819 – $125,208 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $125,208 – $151,619 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Kannapolis
Within the employment landscape of Kannapolis, there are currently 11 civil engineers actively contributing to various projects. The cost of living, indexed at 93.6, suggests that take-home pay provides a comfortable lifestyle compared to many other markets. Major employers, including reputable consulting firms like AECOM and local public works departments, tend to offer more competitive pay rates, particularly for positions requiring a Professional Engineer (PE) license. The disparity in earnings can be attributed to factors such as specialization in areas like structural, geotechnical, or transportation engineering, as well as the tier of the firm—top consulting firms generally pay more than mid-tier or smaller companies. Aspiring civil engineers can maximize their compensation by pursuing licensure, gaining experience in high-demand specialties, and considering opportunities that align with the ongoing infrastructure spending boom in the area.
More salary data for Kannapolis, 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 $95,312 for civil engineersin the Kannapolis 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 Kannapolis 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