Civil Engineer Salary in Winston, NC: $86,384 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Winston, NC earns a median $86,384/year (≈ $41.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Winston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $93,852 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.9% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, civil engineer salaries in Winston, North Carolina, reflect a competitive landscape with a median annual pay of $86,384. The salary range spans from $68,547 at the lower end to $138,735 at the high end, indicating significant variation based on experience, specialization, and employer type. Those working in consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs tend to earn higher salaries compared to their counterparts in government positions or construction companies like Bechtel and Kiewit. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected for 2026, highlights the city's unique job market, shaped by local economic conditions and infrastructure investment needs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,547 | $32.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,824 | $37.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,384 | $41.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $116,116 | $55.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $138,735 | $66.70 |
Median Salary Position
16.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston
In Winston, NC, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,188 (2026 est.). At $86,384, the local median is 16.53% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winston Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Winston median: $86,384/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $96,951 | -10.90% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -16.53% less |
Civil Engineers in Winston, NC earn a median of $86,384 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.53% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 10.90% below the North Carolina state average of $96,951.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston has a cost of living 7.96% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Winston, NC has a cost-of-living index of 92.043 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $86,384 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,852 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.65% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,320
2025 BLS Actual
$84,170
2026 Current Est.
$86,384
2019–2027 Growth
+13.2%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Winston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,860 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,710 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,384 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,656 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 7.5% from $78,320 (2019) to $84,170 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,656 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,336 (13.20%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston 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) | $68,547 – $77,824 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,824 – $86,384 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,384 – $116,116 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $116,116 – $138,735 |
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
With approximately 350 civil engineers employed in the region, job opportunities are notable for professionals entering or advancing in the field. The cost of living in Winston is indexed at 92.043, which is below the national average and suggests that take-home pay stretches further than in many other areas. Engineering consulting firms typically offer the most competitive pay, especially for engineers with specialized skill sets such as transportation or structural design, as well as those who have attained a PE license. The difference in salaries can largely be attributed to firm size, project types, and the increasing demand from recent infrastructure spending initiatives, such as those directed by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. For those looking to maximize their earnings in this market, obtaining more credentials or seeking roles that blend technical and project management responsibilities can prove advantageous in boosting salary potential.
More salary data for Winston, 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 $84,170 for civil engineersin the Winston 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