Civil Engineer Salary in Brownsville, TX: $79,764 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Brownsville, TX earns a median $79,764/year (≈ $38.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Brownsville's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.0), that paycheck buys what $92,776 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected civil engineer salary in Brownsville, TX, is estimated at $79,764, which is significantly lower than the national median of $103,492. Salary ranges for civil engineers in this area reflect the diverse nature of employment opportunities, varying from $50,330 at the lowest decile to as high as $131,305 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlight the pressing distinctions based on the sector within which engineers operate. Consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs often present higher salaries compared to government roles within state DOTs or local public works departments. Amid a burgeoning infrastructure sector fueled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, skilled civil engineers must navigate their options carefully to ensure they maximize earnings in this evolving job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,330 | $24.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,078 | $31.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,764 | $38.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,379 | $49.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,305 | $63.13 |
Median Salary Position
22.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brownsville
In Brownsville, TX, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $80,975 (2026 est.). At $79,764, the local median is 22.93% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brownsville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brownsville Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Brownsville median: $79,764/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brownsville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $83,962 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -22.93% less |
Civil Engineers in Brownsville, TX earn a median of $79,764 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.93% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 5.00% below the Texas state average of $83,962.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brownsville has a cost of living 14.03% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brownsville, TX has a cost-of-living index of 85.975 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $79,764 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $92,776 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.31% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,140
2025 BLS Actual
$77,720
2026 Current Est.
$79,764
2019–2027 Growth
+21.9%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Brownsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,140 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,764 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,862 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brownsville metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $67,140 (2019) to $77,720 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,862 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,722 (21.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brownsville 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) | $50,330 – $65,078 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,078 – $79,764 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,764 – $103,379 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,379 – $131,305 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Brownsville
With approximately 170 civil engineers employed in Brownsville, the local job market presents a modest yet stable environment for aspiring professionals. The cost of living index in the region is notably below the national average at 85.975, which can enhance the purchasing power of salaries earned by civil engineers. Employers that typically pay the highest wages include top-tier consulting firms, larger construction companies, and federal agencies. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to factors such as the necessity of obtaining a PE license, experience level, and the specialization of engineers in fields like structural or transportation engineering. Those looking to elevate their civil engineer pay in Brownsville, TX, should focus on obtaining their PE credentials, pursuing specialized skills, and considering roles in high-demand sectors, particularly where infrastructure projects are funded by government initiatives.
More salary data for Brownsville, 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 $77,720 for civil engineersin the Brownsville 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