Civil Engineer Salary in Portland, OR: $109,075 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Portland, OR earns a median $109,075/year (≈ $52.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Portland's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.4), that paycheck buys what $103,466 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The projected civil engineer salary in Portland, OR for 2026 is an attractive $109,075, reflecting the area's competitive job market and a 2.63% annual growth rate. With a salary range spanning from $80,934 at the lower tenth percentile to $170,427 at the ninetieth percentile, this profession offers significant earning potential. Data derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) highlights the median hourly wage of $52.44, well above the national median of $103,492, providing a solid financial incentive for those pursuing this career path. As civil engineers progress from FE to PE licensure, their earning potential increases, driving many to seek credentials that open up lucrative opportunities in project management or specialized technical roles in Portland's dynamic engineering sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,934 | $38.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,752 | $40.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $109,075 | $52.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $139,443 | $67.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $170,427 | $81.94 |
Median Salary Position
5.39% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, OR, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $89,493 (2026 est.). At $109,075, the local median is 5.39% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portland Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Portland median: $109,075/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $103,782 | +5.10% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +5.39% more |
Civil Engineers in Portland, OR earn a median of $109,075 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.39% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 5.10% above the Oregon state average of $103,782.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 5.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, OR has a cost-of-living index of 105.421 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $109,075 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $103,466 — a 5.14% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$88,550
2025 BLS Actual
$106,280
2026 Current Est.
$109,075
2019–2027 Growth
+26.4%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,550 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,810 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,390 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,075 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,944 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 20.0% from $88,550 (2019) to $106,280 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,944 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,394 (26.42%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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) | $80,934 – $84,752 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,752 – $109,075 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $109,075 – $139,443 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $139,443 – $170,427 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Portland
Portland's job market hosts about 4,180 civil engineers, contributing to a robust employment landscape. With a cost-of-living index of 105.421, professionals must carefully evaluate take-home pay against local expenses. Among the top-paying employers in the region are prominent engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, as well as established Fortune 500 construction companies such as Bechtel and Kiewit. The variance in civil engineer pay in Portland is influenced by factors like the PE license, specialization (e.g., structural or geotechnical), and the type of firm, whether large consultancies or government positions. For those aspiring to maximize their earnings, selecting roles in high-demand specialties, maintaining strong professional networks, and securing advanced credentials will be key strategies in navigating Portland’s civil engineering market amidst the ongoing infrastructure spending fueled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for Portland, OR:
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 $106,280 for civil engineersin the Portland 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