Civil Engineer Salary in Bristol, RI: $98,461 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Bristol, RI earns a median $98,461/year (≈ $47.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $97,971 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With the ongoing infrastructure investments facilitated by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, civil engineers are experiencing a robust job market in Bristol, RI. The projected median annual salary for 2026 is $98,461, reflecting a regional adjustment to cost-of-living and industry demands. Salaries are expected to fall within a range from $68,262 at the 10th percentile to $152,615 for those at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from state-level BLS data, highlight the potential for competitive earnings in Bristol's engineering sector, where the local demand for skilled professionals is shaping opportunities in both public and private sectors.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,262 | $32.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,830 | $37.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,461 | $47.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,946 | $57.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $152,615 | $73.37 |
Median Salary Position
4.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, RI, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $84,353 (2026 est.). At $98,461, the local median is 4.86% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Bristol median: $98,461/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $103,972 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -4.86% less |
Civil Engineers in Bristol, RI earn a median of $98,461 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.86% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 5.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $103,972.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $98,461 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $97,971 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,828
2025 BLS Actual
$95,938
2026 Current Est.
$98,461
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,828 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,264 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,568 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,229 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,236 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,938 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,461 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,051 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $82,828 (2019) to $95,938 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,051 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,223 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $68,262 – $77,830 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,830 – $98,461 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,461 – $119,946 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,946 – $152,615 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Bristol
In terms of local job dynamics, Bristol employs five civil engineers, indicating a niche but potentially rewarding market for candidates. With a cost-of-living index of 100.5, salaries are slightly above the national average, providing a reasonable balance between pay and living expenses. Among the highest-paying employers are engineering consultancies such as AECOM and Jacobs, along with Fortune 500 construction companies like Bechtel. The variation in pay reflects qualifications such as the PE license, specialization in fields such as transportation or geotechnical engineering, and the tier of the employing firm. Strategies for maximizing civil engineer pay in Bristol include seeking roles at top-tier consulting firms, pursuing licensure, and focusing on the high-demand areas driven by current infrastructure projects. Understanding these factors can help professionals navigate their career paths effectively in this competitive market.
More salary data for Bristol, RI:
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 $95,938 for civil engineersin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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