Civil Engineer Salary in South Kingstown, RI: $98,730 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in South Kingstown, RI earns a median $98,730/year (≈ $47.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in South Kingstown's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $98,239 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With the ongoing influence of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), civil engineer salaries in South Kingstown, RI, are projected to reach a median annual figure of $98,730 in 2026. This amount reflects the heightened demand for engineering professionals resulting from recent infrastructure investments, with potential earnings ranging from $69,419 at the lower end to $153,032 for those at the higher end of the pay scale. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price parities, illustrate the competitive compensation landscape in South Kingstown. As the local market adapts to construction and development needs, civil engineers can expect a dynamic employment environment that aligns with national trends.
About the South Kingstown Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,419 | $33.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,415 | $38.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,730 | $47.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $126,374 | $60.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $153,032 | $73.58 |
Median Salary Position
4.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Kingstown
In South Kingstown, RI, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,613 (2026 est.). At $98,730, the local median is 4.6% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Kingstown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Kingstown Civil Engineer Pay Compares
South Kingstown median: $98,730/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Kingstown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $104,036 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -4.60% less |
Civil Engineers in South Kingstown, RI earn a median of $98,730 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.60% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 5.10% below the Rhode Island state average of $104,036.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Kingstown has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
South Kingstown, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $98,730 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $98,239 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,054
2025 BLS Actual
$96,200
2026 Current Est.
$98,730
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in South Kingstown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,054 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,495 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,999 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,802 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,478 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,491 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,730 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,327 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Kingstown metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $83,054 (2019) to $96,200 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,327 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,273 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Kingstown 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) | $69,419 – $79,415 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,415 – $98,730 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,730 – $126,374 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $126,374 – $153,032 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in South Kingstown
The job market in South Kingstown features a small but steady workforce, with five civil engineers currently employed in the area, contributing to the push for competitive salaries. Given that the cost of living index sits slightly above the national average at 100.5, take-home pay is essential for maintaining purchasing power. Among regional employers, top consulting firms, particularly AECOM and Jacobs, tend to offer the most competitive pay packages, while government positions provide stability and opportunities for professional growth. The wide salary range reflects varying factors such as the pursuit of a Professional Engineer (PE) license, specialization in fields like geotechnical or transportation engineering, and the tier of the employing firm. Civil engineers in South Kingstown seeking to enhance their earning potential may consider obtaining licensure, specializing in high-demand areas, or pursuing management roles within their firms, especially as infrastructure funding continues to drive market opportunities.
More salary data for South Kingstown, 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 $96,200 for civil engineersin the South Kingstown 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 South Kingstown 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