Civil Engineer Salary in Clemson, SC: $89,135 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Clemson, SC earns a median $89,135/year (≈ $42.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Clemson's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $97,415 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the civil engineer salary in Clemson, SC is projected to reach a median of $89,135, which reflects a notable difference from the national median of $103,492. Salaries for civil engineers in the area range from $64,830 at the 10th percentile to $137,502 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, reveal the distinct compensation structure influenced by the sector in which engineers are employed. Civil engineers find themselves in varied roles between consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, government positions with the DOT, and construction roles. This diverse landscape means that salary levels can vary widely depending on the sector of employment and the specific nature of projects, reflecting the dynamics of Clemson's job market.
About the Clemson Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,830 | $31.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,947 | $35.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,135 | $42.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,683 | $54.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,502 | $66.10 |
Median Salary Position
13.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clemson
In Clemson, SC, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,672 (2026 est.). At $89,135, the local median is 13.87% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Clemson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Clemson Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Clemson median: $89,135/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clemson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $96,781 | -7.90% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -13.87% less |
Civil Engineers in Clemson, SC earn a median of $89,135 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.87% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 7.90% below the South Carolina state average of $96,781.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clemson has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clemson, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $89,135 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,415 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,983
2025 BLS Actual
$86,851
2026 Current Est.
$89,135
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Clemson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,983 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,283 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,835 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,463 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,588 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,148 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,851 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,135 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,479 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clemson metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $74,983 (2019) to $86,851 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,479 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,496 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clemson 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) | $64,830 – $72,947 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,947 – $89,135 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,135 – $112,683 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,683 – $137,502 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Clemson
While the local employment landscape for civil engineers in Clemson shows a modest workforce of just six professionals, the cost of living is favorably low, with a cost-of-living index of 91.5. This number indicates that take-home pay goes further than in many other regions, enhancing overall purchasing power in the area. Major employers in this market, especially those in the consulting sector, typically offer the highest salaries. As such, civil engineers looking to maximize their earnings should focus on obtaining their PE license to qualify for senior technical and project management roles. Specializations, such as structural or geotechnical engineering, can command additional premiums. Understanding the impact of large infrastructure investments, like those from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, can also provide leverage in discussions about salary and job prospects within Clemson's competitive market.
More salary data for Clemson, SC:
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 $86,851 for civil engineersin the Clemson 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 Clemson 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