Civil Engineer Salary in Milwaukie, OR: $95,408 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Milwaukie, OR earns a median $95,408/year (≈ $45.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Milwaukie's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $92,990 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.1% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

The projected median annual civil engineer salary in Milwaukie, Oregon, is $95,408 for 2026, reflecting local estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional cost factors. Salaries in this field display a broad range, from $69,393 at the 10th percentile to $146,546 at the 90th percentile, highlighting significant variation in compensation levels. With a median hourly wage of $45.87, civil engineering professionals in Milwaukie find themselves earning less than the national median of $103,492. The disparity in pay can be influenced by the diverging dynamics within the local market, where consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, state departments of transportation, and construction companies represent different avenues for employment and compensation.
About the Milwaukie Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,393 | $33.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,854 | $37.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,408 | $45.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $120,435 | $57.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $146,546 | $70.46 |
Median Salary Position
7.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Milwaukie
In Milwaukie, OR, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $77,153 (2026 est.). At $95,408, the local median is 7.81% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Milwaukie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Milwaukie Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Milwaukie median: $95,408/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Milwaukie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $103,817 | -8.10% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -7.81% less |
Civil Engineers in Milwaukie, OR earn a median of $95,408 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.81% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 8.10% below the Oregon state average of $103,817.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Milwaukie has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Milwaukie, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $95,408 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $92,990 — 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
$80,259
2025 BLS Actual
$92,963
2026 Current Est.
$95,408
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Milwaukie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,259 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,651 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,172 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,914 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,181 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,963 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,408 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,917 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Milwaukie metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $80,259 (2019) to $92,963 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,917 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,658 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Milwaukie 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) | $69,393 – $77,854 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,854 – $95,408 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,408 – $120,435 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $120,435 – $146,546 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Milwaukie
Analyzing the local labor market reveals that only six civil engineers are employed in Milwaukie, showcasing a limited pool of professionals in this area. The cost of living index stands at 102.6, indicating that while salaries may be on the lower end relative to national figures, the local purchasing power is somewhat aligned with the costs residents face. Employers such as AECOM and Jacobs generally offer the highest salaries, particularly for those holding a Professional Engineer (PE) license, which is essential for entering senior roles. Furthermore, specialization in areas like structural, geotechnical, or transportation engineering can drive pay upward. With infrastructure projects fueled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law creating additional demand, civil engineers seeking to maximize pay should consider obtaining their PE licenses and seeking opportunities with top-tier consulting firms, as these tend to provide the most competitive salaries in the Milwaukie market.
More salary data for Milwaukie, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do civil engineers make in Milwaukie, OR in 2026?
Is Milwaukie, OR a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Can civil engineers make $100K in Milwaukie?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted civil engineer salary in Milwaukie?
How much does a civil engineer make per hour in Milwaukie?
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 $92,963 for civil engineersin the Milwaukie 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 Milwaukie 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