Civil Engineer Salary in Gresham, OR: $106,220 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Gresham, OR earns a median $106,220/year (≈ $51.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Gresham's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $103,528 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% above the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Gresham, Oregon, civil engineers are expected to earn a median annual salary of $106,220 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $103,492. The local salary range for this profession is quite broad, with entry-level positions starting at $68,758 and experienced engineers earning up to $164,641. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, while also accounting for regional price variations and local economic conditions. Gresham's competitive job market reflects a growing demand for civil engineers, which is influenced by factors like infrastructure projects and company specialization.
About the Gresham Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,758 | $33.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,361 | $39.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,220 | $51.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $135,481 | $65.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $164,641 | $79.16 |
Median Salary Position
2.64% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gresham
In Gresham, OR, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $95,883 (2026 est.). At $106,220, the local median is 2.64% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gresham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gresham Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Gresham median: $106,220/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gresham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $103,832 | +2.30% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +2.64% more |
Civil Engineers in Gresham, OR earn a median of $106,220 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.64% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 2.30% above the Oregon state average of $103,832.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gresham has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gresham, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $106,220 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $103,528 — a 2.53% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$89,355
2025 BLS Actual
$103,498
2026 Current Est.
$106,220
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Gresham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,355 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,905 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,371 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,311 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,418 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,081 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,498 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,220 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,014 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gresham metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $89,355 (2019) to $103,498 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,014 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,659 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gresham 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) | $68,758 – $81,361 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,361 – $106,220 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,220 – $135,481 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $135,481 – $164,641 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Gresham
The local job market for civil engineers in Gresham comprises around 21 professionals, indicating a niche but stable demand. With a cost-of-living index of 102.6, earning in this area allows for reasonable purchasing power, though it remains slightly above the national average. Leading employers in the region often include consulting firms like Jacobs and AECOM, which typically offer higher salaries compared to local public works departments or smaller firms. The disparity in pay can largely be attributed to the type of projects, levels of responsibility, and whether the engineer holds a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Engineers looking to maximize their pay should consider specializing in areas such as structural or geotechnical engineering, target reputable firms, and pursue licensure to open doors to senior roles and project management positions.
More salary data for Gresham, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do civil engineers make in Gresham, OR in 2026?
Is Gresham, OR a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Can civil engineers make $100K in Gresham?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted civil engineer salary in Gresham?
How much does a civil engineer make per hour in Gresham?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Oregon
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 $103,498 for civil engineersin the Gresham 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 Gresham 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