Civil Engineer Salary in Delaware, OH: $97,486 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Delaware, OH earns a median $97,486/year (≈ $46.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Delaware's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $107,482 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Delaware, Ohio, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $97,486. This figure reflects a competitive salary range within the profession, where earnings can vary significantly from $67,259 at the lower end (P10) to $149,298 at the upper echelon (P90). These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for the local cost of living, showcase the impact of licensure on compensation. For civil engineers navigating the FE-to-PE progression, obtaining a Professional Engineer license not only enhances job stability and professional credibility but can also significantly elevate salary potential in Delaware’s job market, particularly with an emphasis on infrastructure projects.
About the Delaware Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,259 | $32.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,933 | $38.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,486 | $46.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,901 | $58.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $149,298 | $71.78 |
Median Salary Position
5.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Delaware
In Delaware, OH, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,039 (2026 est.). At $97,486, the local median is 5.8% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Delaware: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Delaware Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Delaware median: $97,486/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Delaware Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $98,670 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -5.80% less |
Civil Engineers in Delaware, OH earn a median of $97,486 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.80% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.20% below the Ohio state average of $98,670.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Delaware has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Delaware, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $97,486 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $107,482 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,008
2025 BLS Actual
$94,988
2026 Current Est.
$97,486
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Delaware (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,008 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,430 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,721 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,325 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,401 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,988 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,486 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,050 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Delaware metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $82,008 (2019) to $94,988 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,050 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,042 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Delaware 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) | $67,259 – $80,933 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,933 – $97,486 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,486 – $121,901 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,901 – $149,298 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Delaware
Currently, there are seven civil engineers employed in the Delaware area, indicating a smaller, yet specialized job market. With a cost-of-living index of 90.7, engineers in Delaware enjoy a relatively lower living cost, which can enhance their purchasing power when compared to larger urban environments. Major employers include engineering consulting firms such as AECOM and Jacobs, alongside state and local government agencies. The pay spread for civil engineer positions can be influenced by factors such as the level of education (PE license), specialty areas like structural or geotechnical engineering, and the distinction between consulting roles and government jobs. Those seeking to maximize civil engineer pay in Delaware should focus on building strong local relationships, pursuing advanced certifications, and climbing the project management track where higher salaries are prevalent, especially amidst the recent boost in infrastructure spending from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for Delaware, OH:
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 $94,988 for civil engineersin the Delaware 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 Delaware 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