Civil Engineer Salary in Bristol, VA: $91,877 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Bristol, VA earns a median $91,877/year (≈ $44.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $89,028 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For civil engineers in Bristol, Virginia, the anticipated median annual salary in 2026 is projected to be $91,877. This figure shows a notable deviation from the national median of $103,492, highlighting a localized pay scale influenced by regional economic conditions and the local cost of living. The salary range for civil engineers varies widely, with the lowest earners making approximately $66,187 and the highest reaching up to $140,364. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, reflect the types of licensing and experience levels expected in this profession. As the demand for civil engineers continues to increase, particularly in light of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s funding for projects, professionals in Bristol can find opportunities for career advancement, especially with the pursuit of a Professional Engineer (PE) license.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,187 | $31.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,437 | $35.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,877 | $44.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,577 | $55.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $140,364 | $67.48 |
Median Salary Position
11.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, VA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,177 (2026 est.). At $91,877, the local median is 11.22% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Bristol median: $91,877/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $96,713 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -11.22% less |
Civil Engineers in Bristol, VA earn a median of $91,877 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.22% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 5.00% below the Virginia state average of $96,713.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $91,877 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $89,028 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,289
2025 BLS Actual
$89,523
2026 Current Est.
$91,877
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,289 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,168 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,846 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,129 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,178 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,523 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,877 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,294 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $77,289 (2019) to $89,523 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,294 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,005 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $66,187 – $74,437 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,437 – $91,877 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,877 – $115,577 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,577 – $140,364 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Bristol
Bristol's local job market for civil engineers is marked by a small but existing workforce, with only six professionals employed in the area. The cost-of-living index is notably above the national average at 103.2, which could influence real purchasing power. Employers in the region, such as engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, tend to offer higher salaries than local government agencies. The pay disparity observed among civil engineers can often be attributed to factors such as licensure, with those holding a PE command higher salaries. Additionally, specialization in fields like structural or geotechnical engineering can lead to increased compensation. To enhance earning potential in Bristol, civil engineers are encouraged to not only consider licensure but also to seek opportunities with larger consulting firms or high-profile private projects, where compensation tends to be highest.
More salary data for Bristol, 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 $89,523 for civil engineersin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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