Civil Engineer Salary in Johnson City, TN: $84,639 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Johnson City, TN earns a median $84,639/year (≈ $40.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Johnson City's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $96,259 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.0% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a 2026 estimated median annual salary of $84,639, civil engineer pay in Johnson City, TN, reflects a competitive local market compared to the national average of $103,492. This figure, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, showcases a full salary range extending from $60,039 at the 10th percentile to $194,515 at the 90th percentile. The local job market is primarily driven by the presence of engineering consulting firms, government agencies, and construction companies, each offering distinct pay scales influenced by project type and sector engagement. As demand for infrastructure growth continues to rise, particularly with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, professionals navigating this field in Johnson City can expect fluctuations based on employer type and the complexity of their roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,039 | $28.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,983 | $33.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,639 | $40.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,328 | $49.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $194,515 | $93.52 |
Median Salary Position
18.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnson City
In Johnson City, TN, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $134,476 (2026 est.). At $84,639, the local median is 18.22% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Johnson City: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Johnson City Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Johnson City median: $84,639/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnson City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $98,417 | -14.00% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -18.22% less |
Civil Engineers in Johnson City, TN earn a median of $84,639 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.22% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 14.00% below the Tennessee state average of $98,417.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnson City has a cost of living 12.07% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Johnson City, TN has a cost-of-living index of 87.928 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $84,639 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,259 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.73% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,310
2025 BLS Actual
$82,470
2026 Current Est.
$84,639
2019–2027 Growth
+23.5%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Johnson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,120 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,220 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,639 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,865 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnson City metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 17.3% from $70,310 (2019) to $82,470 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,865 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,555 (23.55%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnson City 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) | $60,039 – $69,983 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,983 – $84,639 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,639 – $103,328 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,328 – $194,515 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Johnson City
The local job market for civil engineers involves about 110 professionals working across various sectors, creating a stable workforce within the city. With a cost-of-living index of 87.928, employees may find that their salaries offer a relatively advantageous purchasing power in comparison to higher-cost urban areas. Among the employers, established consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs tend to offer the highest salaries, benefiting from significant infrastructure investments. The salary variance in Johnson City stems from factors such as the attainment of a PE license, specialized skills (like structural engineering), and differences in employer tiers. For engineers aiming to maximize their compensation, focusing on obtaining advanced certifications and pursing roles that leverage infrastructure spending trends could be key strategies for success in this evolving market.
More salary data for Johnson City, 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 $82,470 for civil engineersin the Johnson City 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