Civil Engineer Salary in Harrisburg, PA: $96,298 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Harrisburg, PA earns a median $96,298/year (≈ $46.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Harrisburg's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.7), that paycheck buys what $97,616 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $96,298 in 2026, civil engineers in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, can anticipate competitive compensation relative to national figures, which stand at $103,492. The pay range is broad, spanning from $70,784 at the 10th percentile to $136,118 at the 90th percentile, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026. Achieving a Professional Engineer (PE) license can significantly enhance earning potential and job opportunities, making it a crucial step in the career path for many in this profession. As infrastructure projects ramp up because of federal funding initiatives under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Harrisburg's job market is poised for continued growth, presenting promising prospects for both emerging and experienced civil engineers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,784 | $34.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,066 | $38.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,298 | $46.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $124,973 | $60.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $136,118 | $65.45 |
Median Salary Position
6.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Harrisburg
In Harrisburg, PA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,334 (2026 est.). At $96,298, the local median is 6.95% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Harrisburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Harrisburg Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Harrisburg median: $96,298/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Harrisburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $97,566 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -6.95% less |
Civil Engineers in Harrisburg, PA earn a median of $96,298 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.95% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.30% below the Pennsylvania state average of $97,566.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Harrisburg has a cost of living 1.35% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Harrisburg, PA has a cost-of-living index of 98.65 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $96,298 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,616 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.37% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,280
2025 BLS Actual
$93,830
2026 Current Est.
$96,298
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Harrisburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,298 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,830 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Harrisburg metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 16.9% from $80,280 (2019) to $93,830 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,830 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,550 (23.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Harrisburg 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) | $70,784 – $79,066 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,066 – $96,298 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,298 – $124,973 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $124,973 – $136,118 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Harrisburg
Harrisburg's local job market employs approximately 1,370 civil engineers, indicating a healthy demand in the region. With a cost-of-living index of 98.65, professionals in this field enjoy relative purchasing power despite salaries that trend slightly below the national average. Among local employers, engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs often provide the most competitive salaries, followed closely by larger construction firms like Bechtel and Fluor. Factors such as specialized expertise in structural or geotechnical engineering, the prestige of the employing firm, and the progression from entry-level roles to senior positions contribute to the disparities in compensation. Civil engineers who aim to maximize their pay should consider pursuing a PE license, gaining experience in high-demand specialties, and seeking opportunities within leading consulting firms that capitalize on the current infrastructure boom in Harrisburg, PA.
More salary data for Harrisburg, PA:
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 $93,830 for civil engineersin the Harrisburg 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