Civil Engineer Salary in Rock Hill, SC: $96,407 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Rock Hill, SC earns a median $96,407/year (≈ $46.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Rock Hill's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $105,363 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rock Hill, South Carolina, civil engineers can expect a median annual salary of $96,407 in 2026, reflecting the critical role this profession plays in infrastructure development. Salary ranges show considerable variation, from $62,272 at the lower end to $149,430 for those in more advanced positions. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS occupational data, adjusted for regional price levels, suggesting that while there is a solid earning potential locally, it trails the national median of $103,492 by about 6.85%. With a growth rate of 2.63% projected over the next five years, civil engineering in Rock Hill aligns with increasing demands in public and private infrastructure, presenting a promising future for emerging and seasoned professionals alike.
About the Rock Hill Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,272 | $29.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,438 | $37.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,407 | $46.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $123,400 | $59.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $149,430 | $71.84 |
Median Salary Position
6.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rock Hill
In Rock Hill, SC, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $87,158 (2026 est.). At $96,407, the local median is 6.85% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rock Hill: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rock Hill Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Rock Hill median: $96,407/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rock Hill Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $96,794 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -6.85% less |
Civil Engineers in Rock Hill, SC earn a median of $96,407 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.85% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.40% below the South Carolina state average of $96,794.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rock Hill 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.
Rock Hill, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $96,407 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,363 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,099
2025 BLS Actual
$93,936
2026 Current Est.
$96,407
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Rock Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,099 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,506 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,022 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,782 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,325 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,196 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,936 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,407 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,942 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rock Hill metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $81,099 (2019) to $93,936 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,942 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,843 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rock Hill 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) | $62,272 – $77,438 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,438 – $96,407 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,407 – $123,400 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $123,400 – $149,430 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Rock Hill
As for the local job market, only 11 civil engineers are currently employed in Rock Hill, yet this limited pool indicates potential for increased salaries as demand rises. The area's cost of living is relatively low, indexed at 91.5, which enhances the purchasing power of engineers' salaries compared to the national average. Employers that typically offer higher compensation include leading engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, along with prominent Fortune 500 companies such as Bechtel and Fluor. Variations in pay are often influenced by the level of licensure, with Professional Engineers (PE) attracting higher salaries due to their advanced qualifications. Areas of specialization, such as structural and geotechnical engineering, can also command premiums, especially in light of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's funding for projects. To maximize earnings in Rock Hill, pursuing licensure, gaining experience in high-demand specialties, and considering roles within top-tier firms are advisable strategies for civil engineers aiming to elevate their career prospects.
More salary data for Rock Hill, 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 $93,936 for civil engineersin the Rock Hill 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 Rock Hill 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