Civil Engineer Salary in Clarksville, TN: $99,479 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Clarksville, TN earns a median $99,479/year (≈ $47.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Clarksville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $109,381 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, civil engineering positions in Clarksville, Tennessee, are projected to offer a median annual salary of $99,479, which falls beneath the national median of $103,492. The salary range is expected to vary significantly, with the bottom 10% earning approximately $66,299 and the top 10% reaching around $145,088. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys, highlighting a robust yet diverse employment market in Clarksville. The dynamics of salary in this region vary significantly among different sectors; civil engineers working for high-ranking consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs commonly earn higher salaries compared to their counterparts in government roles or construction firms, emphasizing strategic career choices within the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,299 | $31.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,989 | $37.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,479 | $47.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,348 | $57.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $145,088 | $69.76 |
Median Salary Position
3.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clarksville
In Clarksville, TN, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,789 (2026 est.). At $99,479, the local median is 3.88% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Clarksville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Clarksville Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Clarksville median: $99,479/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clarksville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $98,397 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -3.88% less |
Civil Engineers in Clarksville, TN earn a median of $99,479 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.88% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.10% above the Tennessee state average of $98,397.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clarksville has a cost of living 9.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clarksville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 90.947 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $99,479 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,381 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,320
2025 BLS Actual
$96,930
2026 Current Est.
$99,479
2019–2027 Growth
+25.5%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Clarksville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,080 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,930 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,479 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,096 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clarksville metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 19.2% from $81,320 (2019) to $96,930 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,096 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,776 (25.55%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clarksville 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) | $66,299 – $77,989 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,989 – $99,479 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,479 – $119,348 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,348 – $145,088 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Clarksville
Currently, there are about 140 civil engineers employed in Clarksville, which indicates a relatively strong local job market. Given the area's cost-of-living index of 90.947, the disposable income for engineers can be more favorable than in other regions with higher living costs. Employers such as AECOM and Jacobs typically provide competitive salaries, particularly for engineers with specialized skills, such as obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license, which can significantly influence earning potential. Variations in pay are influenced by factors such as the type of engineering specialization, with structural and geotechnical roles often commanding higher salaries. Furthermore, the rise of infrastructure spending driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law enhances demand for engineers, presenting opportunities for those looking to maximize their pay. For engineers considering their career trajectory, focusing on obtaining a PE license and exploring roles within top-tier consulting firms can yield the best financial outcomes in Clarksville, TN.
More salary data for Clarksville, TN:
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 $96,930 for civil engineersin the Clarksville 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