Civil Engineer Salary in San Antonio, TX: $90,612 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in San Antonio, TX earns a median $90,612/year (≈ $43.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in San Antonio's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.7), that paycheck buys what $95,667 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in San Antonio can expect to earn a median annual salary of $90,612, which is notably lower than the national median of $103,492. The salary range for this profession spans from $66,186 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $137,422 for those at the higher echelon (90th percentile). These figures are derived from government surveys based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. While the region offers a solid pay scale within the state, civil engineers in San Antonio TX should anticipate adjustments in their careers that might come with licensure and further specialization, particularly as the demand for infrastructure-related services continues to grow amidst the bipartisan efforts for revitalizing public works.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,186 | $31.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,669 | $36.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,612 | $43.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $116,752 | $56.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,422 | $66.07 |
Median Salary Position
12.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Antonio
In San Antonio, TX, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,236 (2026 est.). At $90,612, the local median is 12.45% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Antonio: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Antonio Civil Engineer Pay Compares
San Antonio median: $90,612/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Antonio Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $83,978 | +7.90% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -12.45% less |
Civil Engineers in San Antonio, TX earn a median of $90,612 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.45% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 7.90% above the Texas state average of $83,978.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Antonio has a cost of living 5.28% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Antonio, TX has a cost-of-living index of 94.716 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $90,612 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,667 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.58% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,190
2025 BLS Actual
$88,290
2026 Current Est.
$90,612
2019–2027 Growth
+23.7%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in San Antonio (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,190 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,612 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,995 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Antonio metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 17.4% from $75,190 (2019) to $88,290 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,995 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,805 (23.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Antonio 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) | $66,186 – $75,669 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,669 – $90,612 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,612 – $116,752 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $116,752 – $137,422 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in San Antonio
With around 2,230 civil engineers currently employed in the San Antonio area, the local job market reflects a steady demand, aided by a cost of living index of 94.716, which allows for a more favorable take-home purchasing power compared to many other metropolitan centers. Top employers in this city include leading engineering consulting firms such as AECOM and Jacobs, alongside various state departments of transportation and federal agencies which often provide competitive salaries. However, salary variations largely stem from factors such as licensure status, specialization areas—like structural or geotechnical engineering—and the tier of the employing firm. To maximize earning potential in San Antonio, civil engineers should focus on obtaining their PE license and explore roles in high-demand sectors driven by recent infrastructure investments, ensuring they align their career paths with the evolving market needs.
More salary data for San Antonio, 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 $88,290 for civil engineersin the San Antonio 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