Civil Engineer Salary in Austin, TX: $103,112 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Austin, TX earns a median $103,112/year (≈ $49.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Austin's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $105,146 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 22.8% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Austin's civil engineer salary in 2026 is projected at $103,112 annually, reflecting the city's strong demand for infrastructure development fueled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). With a salary range from $67,099 to $167,051, this figure shows a market that rewards both new and experienced professionals in various civil engineering disciplines. The official 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, projected to 2026, indicates a healthy growth rate of 2.63%, suggesting ongoing opportunities for career advancement and salary increases in this vibrant Texas city. The influx in infrastructure spending has not only shaped the hiring landscape but has also created a competitive market among employers eager to attract top talent.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,099 | $32.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,176 | $39.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,112 | $49.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $132,280 | $63.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $167,051 | $80.32 |
Median Salary Position
0.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, TX, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $99,952 (2026 est.). At $103,112, the local median is 0.37% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Austin Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Austin median: $103,112/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $83,968 | +22.80% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -0.37% less |
Civil Engineers in Austin, TX earn a median of $103,112 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.37% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 22.80% above the Texas state average of $83,968.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.066 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $103,112 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,146 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,680
2025 BLS Actual
$100,470
2026 Current Est.
$103,112
2019–2027 Growth
+25.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,680 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,210 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,112 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,824 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 18.6% from $84,680 (2019) to $100,470 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,824 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,144 (24.97%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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) | $67,099 – $82,176 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,176 – $103,112 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,112 – $132,280 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $132,280 – $167,051 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Austin
With approximately 4,940 civil engineers employed in the Austin area, competition for roles is robust, yet the cost of living remains favorable at a CoL index of 98.066, allowing for better purchasing power for salaries compared to larger metropolitan areas. Top employers such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP are known to offer higher salaries in the engineering consulting sector, while federal agencies and local public works departments also create significant job opportunities. The variability in pay is influenced by factors such as the importance of obtaining a PE license, specialization in high-demand areas, and the employer tier ranking. To maximize civil engineer pay in Austin, professionals should consider pursuing advanced certifications and networking vigorously within the industry, as these strategies can open doors to more lucrative positions amidst the city's growing infrastructure market.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
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 $100,470 for civil engineersin the Austin 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