Civil Engineer Salary in Ashburn, VA: $94,651 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Ashburn, VA earns a median $94,651/year (≈ $45.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Ashburn's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $91,716 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ashburn, Virginia, the anticipated median annual civil engineer salary for 2026 is projected to be $94,651, positioning it slightly below the national average of $103,492. Within the local market, salaries span a range from $66,117 at the 10th percentile to $146,709 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are drawn from state-level data and adjusted for regional price parity, reflecting the specifics of the cost of living in Ashburn. Given the competitive and evolving landscape of civil engineering, obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license significantly enhances earning potential, marking a crucial step in career development from the Engineer-in-Training (EIT) designation to more senior positions. This transition is particularly influenced by the demand for engineers driven by recent infrastructure legislation.
About the Ashburn Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,117 | $31.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,156 | $36.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,651 | $45.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,153 | $58.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $146,709 | $70.54 |
Median Salary Position
8.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ashburn
In Ashburn, VA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $80,592 (2026 est.). At $94,651, the local median is 8.54% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ashburn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ashburn Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Ashburn median: $94,651/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ashburn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $96,681 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -8.54% less |
Civil Engineers in Ashburn, VA earn a median of $94,651 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.54% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 2.10% below the Virginia state average of $96,681.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ashburn has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ashburn, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $94,651 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $91,716 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,622
2025 BLS Actual
$92,225
2026 Current Est.
$94,651
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Ashburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,622 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,003 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,528 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,256 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,698 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,119 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,225 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,651 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,140 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ashburn metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $79,622 (2019) to $92,225 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,140 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,518 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ashburn 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) | $66,117 – $76,156 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,156 – $94,651 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,651 – $121,153 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,153 – $146,709 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Ashburn
With only 12 civil engineers recorded as employed in the area, Ashburn's job market is small but focused. The cost of living index stands at 103.2, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, purchasing power may be influenced by the higher living costs in the region. Major employers such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP are known to offer some of the highest salaries for civil engineers in Ashburn, catering to various specialties such as structural, geotechnical, and transportation engineering. The disparity in compensation often arises from the PE licensure requirements, specialty expertise, and the tier of the employing firm. Those aiming for higher pay should consider paths leading to licensure, explore opportunities within leading consulting firms, and keep an eye on the buoyant infrastructure spending prompted by federal investments.
More salary data for Ashburn, VA:
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 $92,225 for civil engineersin the Ashburn 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
Salary data for Ashburn is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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