Civil Engineer Salary in Wake Forest, NC: $95,569 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Wake Forest, NC earns a median $95,569/year (≈ $45.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Wake Forest's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $102,104 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected salary for civil engineers in Wake Forest, North Carolina in 2026 is $95,569 annually, which places it approximately 7.66% below the national median of $103,492 for the same year. With a salary range that spans from $68,214 at the 10th percentile to $148,132 at the 90th percentile, this reflects a diverse compensation landscape influenced by the ongoing infrastructure initiatives propelled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). As demand for civil engineers continues to rise due to local infrastructure investments, it's clear that Wake Forest's job market is nurturing opportunities for professionals equipped with robust skill sets and relevant credentials.
About the Wake Forest Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,214 | $32.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,600 | $36.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,569 | $45.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,329 | $58.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $148,132 | $71.21 |
Median Salary Position
7.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wake Forest
In Wake Forest, NC, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,918 (2026 est.). At $95,569, the local median is 7.66% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wake Forest: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wake Forest Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Wake Forest median: $95,569/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wake Forest Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $96,926 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -7.66% less |
Civil Engineers in Wake Forest, NC earn a median of $95,569 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.66% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.40% below the North Carolina state average of $96,926.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wake Forest 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.
Wake Forest, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $95,569 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $102,104 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,395
2025 BLS Actual
$93,120
2026 Current Est.
$95,569
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Wake Forest (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,395 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,789 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,309 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,054 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,549 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,569 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,083 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wake Forest metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $80,395 (2019) to $93,120 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,083 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,688 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wake Forest 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) | $68,214 – $75,600 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,600 – $95,569 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,569 – $122,329 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,329 – $148,132 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Wake Forest
In Wake Forest, NC, the current employment landscape includes just nine civil engineers, suggesting a compact community with specific hiring needs. The cost of living index stands at 93.6, indicating that while salaries may be lower than the national average, purchasing power remains relatively strong for residents. Among local employers, firms such as AECOM and Jacobs typically offer the most competitive salaries, favoring candidates with a Professional Engineer (PE) license. This credential, often essential for senior roles, can significantly impact earning potential, particularly in firms focusing on specialized areas like structural engineering or geotechnical projects. To maximize civil engineer pay in Wake Forest, professionals should consider pursuing advanced credentials and aligning with top consultancies or exploring government opportunities, as these often present the best compensation structures amidst BIL-driven growth.
More salary data for Wake Forest, 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 $93,120 for civil engineersin the Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest 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