Civil Engineer Salary in Johnston, RI: $100,578 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Johnston, RI earns a median $100,578/year (≈ $48.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Johnston's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $100,078 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Johnston, RI, civil engineer salaries are projected to reach a median of $100,578 in 2026, closely trailing the national median of $103,492. This slight difference reflects the local economic dynamics influenced by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which has significantly boosted hiring in the region. With a salary range extending from $74,183 at the lower end to $155,897 at the higher end, these figures illustrate the diverse opportunities available within this field. The estimates derived from 2025 BLS data show that Johnston's civil engineering market is adapting to growing infrastructure demands, making it a favorable environment for prospective civil engineers.
About the Johnston Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,183 | $35.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,911 | $38.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,578 | $48.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $128,740 | $61.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $155,897 | $74.95 |
Median Salary Position
2.82% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnston
In Johnston, RI, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,714 (2026 est.). At $100,578, the local median is 2.82% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Johnston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Johnston Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Johnston median: $100,578/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $104,011 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -2.82% less |
Civil Engineers in Johnston, RI earn a median of $100,578 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.82% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 3.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $104,011.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnston has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Johnston, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $100,578 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $100,078 — a 0.5% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$84,609
2025 BLS Actual
$98,001
2026 Current Est.
$100,578
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Johnston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,609 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,076 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,571 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,408 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,241 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,001 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,578 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,224 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnston metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $84,609 (2019) to $98,001 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,224 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,615 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnston 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) | $74,183 – $80,911 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,911 – $100,578 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,578 – $128,740 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $128,740 – $155,897 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Johnston
As of now, there are only eight civil engineers employed in Johnston, highlighting a tightly knit job market. The cost of living index stands at 100.5, slightly above the national average, which affects local purchasing power. Notably, the higher pay rates in Johnston tend to come from established engineering consulting firms like Jacobs and AECOM, along with larger construction companies such as Bechtel. The variation in salaries can primarily be attributed to several factors, including the presence of a PE license for higher remuneration, specialization in certain engineering fields, and the differing pay scales between government roles and private firms. To maximize civil engineer pay in Johnston, professionals should consider obtaining advanced credentials like the PE license and seek positions in top-tier consulting firms or focus on high-demand specializations aligned with the region's ongoing infrastructure projects.
More salary data for Johnston, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do civil engineers make in Johnston, RI in 2026?
Is Johnston, RI a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Can civil engineers make $100K in Johnston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted civil engineer salary in Johnston?
How much does a civil engineer make per hour in Johnston?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Rhode Island
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 $98,001 for civil engineersin the Johnston 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 Johnston 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