Civil Engineer Salary in Lakewood, OH: $98,221 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Lakewood, OH earns a median $98,221/year (≈ $47.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $108,292 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual salary of $98,221 projected for 2026, civil engineers in Lakewood, Ohio, find themselves earning competitive wages, albeit slightly lower than the national median of $103,492. The salary spectrum ranges from $63,683 at the 10th percentile to $152,242 for those at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse array of compensation opportunities shaping the local job market. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions, reflect a market where licensure progression from FE to PE can significantly enhance earning potential. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for engineers looking to advance their careers in Lakewood.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,683 | $30.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,030 | $36.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,221 | $47.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $125,167 | $60.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $152,242 | $73.20 |
Median Salary Position
5.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, OH, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $88,559 (2026 est.). At $98,221, the local median is 5.09% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $98,221/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $98,715 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -5.09% less |
Civil Engineers in Lakewood, OH earn a median of $98,221 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.09% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.50% below the Ohio state average of $98,715.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood 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.
Lakewood, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $98,221 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,292 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,626
2025 BLS Actual
$95,704
2026 Current Est.
$98,221
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,626 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,059 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,565 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,359 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,006 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,023 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,704 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,221 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,804 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $82,626 (2019) to $95,704 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,804 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,178 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $63,683 – $75,030 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,030 – $98,221 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,221 – $125,167 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $125,167 – $152,242 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Lakewood
In Lakewood, the civil engineering sector currently employs 11 professionals, a number that reflects both a niche job market and a steady demand for engineering talent. With a cost-of-living index of 90.7, civil engineer pay in Lakewood translates to reasonable purchasing power, allowing engineers to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. Leading employers, such as AECOM and Jacobs, tend to offer higher salaries, particularly for positions requiring a Professional Engineer (PE) license. The spread between lower and higher salaries is influenced by factors such as specialization—structural or transportation engineering can command premiums—and the tier of the hiring firm. Engineers aiming to maximize their pay in this environment should consider pursuing the PE credential, seeking out opportunities in areas benefitting from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and leaning towards larger consulting firms, as these avenues are likely to yield the highest returns in the evolving job market.
More salary data for Lakewood, 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 $95,704 for civil engineersin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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