Civil Engineer Salary in Rocky Mount, NC: $87,738 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Rocky Mount, NC earns a median $87,738/year (≈ $42.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Rocky Mount's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.0), that paycheck buys what $99,689 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.5% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Civil engineers in Rocky Mount, North Carolina are projected to earn a median annual salary of $87,738 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national average of $103,492. The salary range for civil engineers in the city stretches from $64,144 at the 10th percentile to $140,100 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a significant disparity in compensation based on experience and specialization. This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and indicates a local market that, while lagging behind national figures, offers opportunities for growth as the demand for infrastructure projects increases in line with BIL-funded initiatives. Aspiring engineers entering the field can see their pay potential greatly enhanced with the progression from Engineer-in-Training (EIT) to Professional Engineer (PE) licensure, which often serves as a key gatekeeper to advanced roles and higher salaries.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,144 | $30.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,554 | $34.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,738 | $42.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,723 | $61.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $140,100 | $67.36 |
Median Salary Position
15.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rocky Mount
In Rocky Mount, NC, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,956 (2026 est.). At $87,738, the local median is 15.22% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rocky Mount: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rocky Mount Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Rocky Mount median: $87,738/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rocky Mount Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $96,948 | -9.50% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -15.22% less |
Civil Engineers in Rocky Mount, NC earn a median of $87,738 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.22% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 9.50% below the North Carolina state average of $96,948.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rocky Mount has a cost of living 11.99% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rocky Mount, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.012 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $87,738 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,689 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,750
2025 BLS Actual
$85,490
2026 Current Est.
$87,738
2019–2027 Growth
+55.9%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Rocky Mount (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,900 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,770 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,630 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,490 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,738 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,046 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rocky Mount metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 48.0% from $57,750 (2019) to $85,490 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,046 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,296 (55.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rocky Mount 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) | $64,144 – $71,554 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,554 – $87,738 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,738 – $127,723 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,723 – $140,100 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Rocky Mount
Rocky Mount's local job market includes around 50 civil engineers, creating a collaborative professional environment. The cost of living index here stands at 88.012, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than the national median, the overall affordability can enhance purchasing power. Employers such as top consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs tend to offer competitive compensation, particularly to those with specialized skills in areas like structural or geotechnical engineering. Various factors contribute to the wide pay spectrum seen in the area, including the type of firm—consulting companies generally pay more than government roles—and the level of licensure and experience. To maximize earnings, engineers in Rocky Mount should actively pursue PE licensure and consider aligned track options in project management or specialized technical roles, capitalizing on the ongoing boom in infrastructure investment driven by both public and private sectors.
More salary data for Rocky Mount, 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 $85,490 for civil engineersin the Rocky Mount 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