Civil Engineer Salary in Greenville, SC: $105,534 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Greenville, SC earns a median $105,534/year (≈ $50.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Greenville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.3), that paycheck buys what $113,161 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.0% above the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The civil engineer salary in Greenville, SC is projected to reach a median of $105,534 in 2026, reflecting a robust local demand driven by significant infrastructure spending, particularly due to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). This salary aligns closely with the national median of $103,492, which represents a competitive market for civil engineers in the area. The range in pay varies widely, from $67,048 at the 10th percentile to as high as $164,834 for those in the 90th percentile. Official estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data indicate a strong labor market, with opportunities in both public and private sectors enhancing job prospects for aspiring professionals in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,048 | $32.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,616 | $38.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,534 | $50.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $139,382 | $67.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $164,834 | $79.24 |
Median Salary Position
1.97% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Greenville
In Greenville, SC, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $97,786 (2026 est.). At $105,534, the local median is 1.97% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Greenville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Greenville Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Greenville median: $105,534/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Greenville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $96,821 | +9.00% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +1.97% more |
Civil Engineers in Greenville, SC earn a median of $105,534 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.97% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 9.00% above the South Carolina state average of $96,821.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Greenville has a cost of living 6.74% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Greenville, SC has a cost-of-living index of 93.26 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $105,534 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $113,161 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.23% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,750
2025 BLS Actual
$102,830
2026 Current Est.
$105,534
2019–2027 Growth
+24.9%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Greenville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,140 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,930 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,534 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,310 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Greenville metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 18.5% from $86,750 (2019) to $102,830 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,310 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,560 (24.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Greenville 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) | $67,048 – $80,616 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,616 – $105,534 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,534 – $139,382 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $139,382 – $164,834 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Greenville
In Greenville, there are approximately 1,170 civil engineers currently employed, leading to a dynamic job market that can influence compensation strategies. The local cost of living index, noted at 93.26, indicates that residents generally experience lower expenses compared to the national average. This context allows for a more favorable take-home pay, particularly for civil engineers working with top-tier firms such as AECOM and Jacobs. The differences in civil engineer pay in Greenville SC are often driven by factors such as having a PE license, which can unlock higher salary brackets, and specialization in attractive areas like structural or transportation engineering. Additionally, career advancement opportunities, such as moving from an entry-level to a senior project manager role, can significantly boost earnings. Engaging with local consulting firms and enhancing technical skills through the NSPE's resources can be advantageous strategies for maximizing salary potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Greenville, 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 $102,830 for civil engineersin the Greenville 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