Civil Engineer Salary in Ponce, PR: $52,824 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Ponce, PR earns a median $52,824/year (≈ $25.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Puerto Rico's price level (25% below national, BEA RPP 75.0), that paycheck buys what $70,432 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.7% below the Puerto Rico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Ponce, Puerto Rico, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $52,824, which is significantly lower than the national median of $103,492—highlighting a disparity of nearly 49%. The salary range for civil engineers in this area extends from $42,068 at the 10th percentile to $99,808 at the 90th percentile. These figures arise from comprehensive analyses based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. While licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) can enhance earning potential and open pathways to higher-level positions, many local engineers are currently positioned within a range reliant on their specialties and experience, indicating a competitive job market amidst limited local opportunities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,068 | $20.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,543 | $22.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,824 | $25.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,705 | $32.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,808 | $47.99 |
Median Salary Position
48.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ponce
In Ponce, PR, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,740 (2026 est.). At $52,824, the local median is 48.96% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ponce: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Ponce Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Ponce median: $52,824/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ponce Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico Average | $59,823 | -11.70% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -48.96% less |
Civil Engineers in Ponce, PR earn a median of $52,824 per year (2026 est.), which is 48.96% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 11.70% below the Puerto Rico state average of $59,823.
2019 BLS Actual
$37,200
2025 BLS Actual
$51,470
2026 Current Est.
$52,824
2019–2027 Growth
+45.7%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Ponce (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,824 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,213 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ponce metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 38.4% from $37,200 (2019) to $51,470 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,213 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,013 (45.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ponce 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) | $42,068 – $46,543 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,543 – $52,824 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,824 – $67,705 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,705 – $99,808 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Ponce
Ponce's local job market employs about 70 civil engineers, and this concentration can influence compensation levels, particularly in relation to living costs in the area. Employers such as AECOM and Jacobs stand out for their competitive pay offerings, while government entities may offer stability but at a lower pay scale. The variation in salaries can be attributed to several factors, including the PE licensing, specialty areas such as geotechnical engineering, and tier of the employer—firms that engage in high-value projects tend to pay better. To maximize earnings in Ponce, civil engineers should focus on obtaining the PE license, considering roles with top-tier engineering firms, and staying current with BIL-funded infrastructure projects, which are poised to enhance demand for skilled professionals.
More salary data for Ponce, PR:
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 $51,470 for civil engineersin the Ponce 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