Civil Engineer Salary in Killeen, TX: $95,271 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Killeen, TX earns a median $95,271/year (≈ $45.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Killeen's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.1), that paycheck buys what $104,542 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.4% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Killeen, TX, can expect a median annual salary of $95,271, which is slightly below the national median of $103,492. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, with the lower 10% earning around $63,415 and top earners in the 90th percentile making up to $161,037. These projections are derived from the 2025 BLS OEWS data and reflect the ongoing demand for engineering professionals, particularly as infrastructure initiatives, spurred by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, unfold. As licensed Professional Engineers (PE) progress in their careers, they typically see a notable increase in their compensation, highlighting the importance of obtaining licensure for career advancement within this competitive market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,415 | $30.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,792 | $36.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,271 | $45.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $123,474 | $59.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $161,037 | $77.42 |
Median Salary Position
7.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Killeen
In Killeen, TX, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $97,622 (2026 est.). At $95,271, the local median is 7.94% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Killeen: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Killeen Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Killeen median: $95,271/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Killeen Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $84,014 | +13.40% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -7.94% less |
Civil Engineers in Killeen, TX earn a median of $95,271 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.94% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 13.40% above the Texas state average of $84,014.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Killeen has a cost of living 8.87% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Killeen, TX has a cost-of-living index of 91.132 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $95,271 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,542 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.73% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,770
2025 BLS Actual
$92,830
2026 Current Est.
$95,271
2019–2027 Growth
+30.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Killeen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,430 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,480 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,250 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,271 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,777 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Killeen metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 24.2% from $74,770 (2019) to $92,830 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,777 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,007 (30.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Killeen 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) | $63,415 – $75,792 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,792 – $95,271 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,271 – $123,474 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $123,474 – $161,037 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Killeen
With approximately 270 civil engineers employed in the Killeen area, the local job market remains robust despite the slightly lower median salary compared to national figures. The cost of living index in Killeen stands at 91.132, indicating that while salaries may be lower, the purchasing power is relatively higher, allowing for a comfortable lifestyle. Major employers such as AECOM and Jacobs tend to offer the highest pay, often aligning with specialty areas that command premium rates, like structural engineering and project management. Those looking to maximize their civil engineer pay in Killeen should consider obtaining a PE license and focusing on gaining experience in high-demand specializations. Moreover, positioning oneself in top-tier consulting firms, which often provide more competitive salaries compared to government positions and smaller firms, can significantly enhance earning potential in the region.
More salary data for Killeen, 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 $92,830 for civil engineersin the Killeen 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