Civil Engineer Salary in Wilmington, NC: $96,934 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Wilmington, NC earns a median $96,934/year (≈ $46.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $100,531 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Wilmington, North Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $96,934, a figure that is slightly lower than the national average of $103,492. The salary range for these professionals spans from $71,359 at the 10th percentile to $136,980 at the 90th percentile. This financial data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects the diverse landscape of civil engineering roles in the region. Engineers may find opportunities with major consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, state Departments of Transportation (DOT), or large construction companies, each offering varying levels of compensation depending on project scope, specialization, and firm prestige. The Wilmington job market continues to favor experienced engineers in demand sectors such as infrastructure, propelled by the momentum from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,359 | $34.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,221 | $39.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,934 | $46.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,722 | $52.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $136,980 | $65.86 |
Median Salary Position
6.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, NC, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,621 (2026 est.). At $96,934, the local median is 6.34% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilmington Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $96,934/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $103,492 | -6.34% less |
Civil Engineers in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $96,934 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.34% lower than the national median of $103,492.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 3.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.422 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $96,934 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $100,531 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.71% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,860
2025 BLS Actual
$94,450
2026 Current Est.
$96,934
2019–2027 Growth
+23.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,860 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,000 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,450 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,934 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,483 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 16.8% from $80,860 (2019) to $94,450 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,483 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,623 (23.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $71,359 – $81,221 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,221 – $96,934 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,934 – $109,722 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,722 – $136,980 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Wilmington
With approximately 460 civil engineers employed locally, Wilmington's job market shows robust opportunities despite a cost-of-living index of 96.422, indicating a lower than average living expense compared to national benchmarks. This cost-of-living scenario can enhance take-home pay for civil engineers, allowing for greater purchasing power. Notably, firms like Bechtel and Fluor within the construction sector often provide higher salaries, particularly for engineers with a Professional Engineer (PE) license, which is critical for advancing to senior roles or project management positions. Specialty fields such as structural, geotechnical, or transportation engineering also command premium salaries in Wilmington, reflecting a competitive landscape where the combination of government and private sector employment impacts overall pay potential. To maximize earnings, aspiring engineers should focus on obtaining their PE licensure while considering opportunities in top-tier consulting firms or engaging in continued education to diversify their skills, aligning with market needs.
More salary data for Wilmington, 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 $94,450 for civil engineersin the Wilmington 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