Civil Engineer Salary in Winston-Salem, NC: $100,461 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Winston-Salem, NC earns a median $100,461/year (≈ $48.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Winston-Salem's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $107,330 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineering professionals in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $100,461 in 2026, reflecting a competitive position within the local job market. This figure positions the city's engineers slightly below the national average of $103,492, yet the local salary range—from $62,217 at the 10th percentile to $155,715 at the 90th—indicates a healthy spectrum of compensation opportunities. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026 and adjusted for regional cost factors, illustrate how the ongoing infrastructure investments fueled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) continue to shape hiring within the sector. The presence of reputable engineering consulting firms and burgeoning public works projects suggests a robust demand for skilled civil engineers in Winston-Salem.
About the Winston-Salem Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,217 | $29.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,033 | $36.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,461 | $48.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $128,590 | $61.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $155,715 | $74.86 |
Median Salary Position
2.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston-Salem
In Winston-Salem, NC, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $93,498 (2026 est.). At $100,461, the local median is 2.93% below the national median of $103,492.
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At 40 hours/week in Winston-Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winston-Salem Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Winston-Salem median: $100,461/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston-Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $96,970 | +3.60% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -2.93% less |
Civil Engineers in Winston-Salem, NC earn a median of $100,461 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.93% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 3.60% above the North Carolina state average of $96,970.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston-Salem 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.
Winston-Salem, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $100,461 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $107,330 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,511
2025 BLS Actual
$97,887
2026 Current Est.
$100,461
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Winston-Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,511 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,976 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,472 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,306 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,082 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,245 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,887 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,461 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,104 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston-Salem metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $84,511 (2019) to $97,887 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,104 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,593 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston-Salem 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) | $62,217 – $75,033 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,033 – $100,461 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,461 – $128,590 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $128,590 – $155,715 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Winston-Salem
In 2026, the local employment market comprises 59 civil engineers, reflecting a stable demand amid a favorable cost-of-living index of 93.6, which enhances the take-home pay potential for these professionals. Leading employers such as AECOM and Jacobs in the consulting sector are poised to offer some of the higher salaries, driven by their extensive project portfolios and specialized expertise. Disparities in compensation are influenced by various factors, including the possession of a Professional Engineer (PE) license, which opens doors to senior roles and bolstered pay. Engineers specializing in areas like structural and geotechnical fields may command premiums, while those on the project management path may also see increased earning potential. To maximize pay within Winston-Salem, networking within local firms, pursuing licensure, and targeting sectors experiencing rapid growth due to BIL funding can result in significant career advancements for civil engineers.
More salary data for Winston-Salem, 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 $97,887 for civil engineersin the Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem 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