Civil Engineer Salary in Salem, OR: $118,517 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Salem, OR earns a median $118,517/year (≈ $56.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Salem's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $114,345 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.2% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With significant infrastructure investments driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the civil engineer salary in Salem, OR is projected to reach a median annual figure of $118,517 in 2026. This reflects a competitive environment where salaries range from $80,277 at the 10th percentile to $151,482 at the 90th percentile, highlighting varying levels of experience and specialization. The data for these projections is based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, and the numbers demonstrate how Salem's job market has adapted to ongoing demands for infrastructure development in the region. As hiring increases in response to these initiatives, civil engineers in Salem are well-positioned to benefit from opportunities in local public works and private sector projects alike.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,277 | $38.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,529 | $46.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $118,517 | $56.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $144,657 | $69.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $151,482 | $72.83 |
Median Salary Position
14.52% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, OR, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,205 (2026 est.). At $118,517, the local median is 14.52% above the national median of $103,492.
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How Salem Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Salem median: $118,517/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $103,780 | +14.20% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +14.52% more |
Civil Engineers in Salem, OR earn a median of $118,517 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.52% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 14.20% above the Oregon state average of $103,780.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 3.65% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, OR has a cost-of-living index of 103.649 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $118,517 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $114,345 — a 3.52% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$97,700
2025 BLS Actual
$115,480
2026 Current Est.
$118,517
2019–2027 Growth
+24.5%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,610 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,480 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118,517 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,634 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 18.2% from $97,700 (2019) to $115,480 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,634 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,934 (24.50%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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) | $80,277 – $97,529 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,529 – $118,517 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $118,517 – $144,657 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $144,657 – $151,482 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Salem
Employing around 480 civil engineers, the local job market remains robust, underpinned by a cost-of-living index of 103.649 that slightly exceeds the national average. This factor affects the real purchasing power of civil engineer pay in Salem, OR, making strategic salary negotiation essential. Top employers in the area include engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, which typically offer higher salaries compared to state and local agencies. The disparity in pay can often be attributed to the level of experience, specializations such as structural or geotechnical engineering, and whether one holds a PE license. To maximize their earning potential, engineers should consider pursuing advanced certifications, targeting high-end projects, and navigating the consulting landscape over government roles, enhancing their career trajectory within this thriving infrastructure sector.
More salary data for Salem, 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 $115,480 for civil engineersin the Salem 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