Civil Engineer Salary in Salt Lake City, UT: $101,398 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Salt Lake City, UT earns a median $101,398/year (≈ $48.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Salt Lake City's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $100,525 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% above the Utah state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Salt Lake City, the civil engineer salary in Salt Lake City is projected to reach a median of $101,398 in 2026, indicating competitive compensation for professionals in this field. The full salary range extends from $63,918 at the 10th percentile to $154,048 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variation in experience levels and specializations. This data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, shows a slight dip compared to the national median of $103,492, illustrating the unique economic environment of the region. Moreover, professionals with a PE license significantly enhance their earning potential, unlocking opportunities for advancement into senior positions and increased pay that can further elevate their income.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,918 | $30.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,130 | $39.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,398 | $48.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $129,098 | $62.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $154,048 | $74.06 |
Median Salary Position
2.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salt Lake City
In Salt Lake City, UT, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $90,130 (2026 est.). At $101,398, the local median is 2.02% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salt Lake City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salt Lake City Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Salt Lake City median: $101,398/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salt Lake City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $94,236 | +7.60% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -2.02% less |
Civil Engineers in Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $101,398 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.02% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 7.60% above the Utah state average of $94,236.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salt Lake City has a cost of living 0.87% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salt Lake City, UT has a cost-of-living index of 100.868 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $101,398 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $100,525 — a 0.86% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,960
2025 BLS Actual
$98,800
2026 Current Est.
$101,398
2019–2027 Growth
+37.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Salt Lake City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,960 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,580 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,840 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,240 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,398 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,065 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 30.1% from $75,960 (2019) to $98,800 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,065 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,105 (37.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salt Lake 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) | $63,918 – $83,130 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,130 – $101,398 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,398 – $129,098 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $129,098 – $154,048 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City's job market for civil engineers is currently bolstered by the employment of approximately 2,890 professionals in the area. The cost-of-living index at 100.868 indicates that while living expenses are slightly above the national average, salaries are still competitive when adjusted for local purchasing power. Top employers in the region, particularly engineering consulting firms such as AECOM and Jacobs, typically offer higher salaries, tapping into the demand driven by a surge in infrastructure spending due to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The pay disparity among civil engineers can often be attributed to factors such as the PE license, specialization in fields like structural or geotechnical engineering, and the type of firm—consulting firms often command higher wages compared to mid-tier and government roles. For those aiming to maximize their civil engineer pay in Salt Lake City UT, pursuing licensure and honing expertise in in-demand areas, while aligning with well-paying firms, can yield significant benefits in this evolving market.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
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 $98,800 for civil engineersin the Salt Lake 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