Civil Engineer Salary in Falls Church, VA: $89,143 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Falls Church, VA earns a median $89,143/year (≈ $42.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Falls Church's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $86,379 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.8% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For civil engineers in Falls Church, Virginia, the projected median annual salary for 2026 stands at $89,143, reflecting a competitive local market. This figure is complemented by a salary range that spans from $65,419 at the 10th percentile to $134,672 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, indicate a robust employment scenario for engineers looking to progress from EIT to PE licensure, where their qualifications can significantly impact compensation. With the median salary falling approximately 13.86% below the national figure of $103,492, civil engineering professionals must navigate a market characterized by a wealth of opportunities, particularly as infrastructure spending continues to grow.
About the Falls Church Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,419 | $31.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,095 | $35.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,143 | $42.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,934 | $53.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,672 | $64.75 |
Median Salary Position
13.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Falls Church
In Falls Church, VA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,253 (2026 est.). At $89,143, the local median is 13.86% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Falls Church: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Falls Church Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Falls Church median: $89,143/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Falls Church Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $96,685 | -7.80% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -13.86% less |
Civil Engineers in Falls Church, VA earn a median of $89,143 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.86% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 7.80% below the Virginia state average of $96,685.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Falls Church has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Falls Church, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $89,143 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $86,379 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,990
2025 BLS Actual
$86,859
2026 Current Est.
$89,143
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Falls Church (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,842 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,595 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,859 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,143 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,488 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Falls Church metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $74,990 (2019) to $86,859 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,488 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,498 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Falls Church 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) | $65,419 – $73,095 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,095 – $89,143 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,143 – $110,934 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,934 – $134,672 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Falls Church
Analyzing the local employment landscape, only five civil engineers are currently employed in Falls Church, which might suggest a niche but potentially lucrative job market. Given the cost-of-living index of 103.2, the purchasing power here slightly exceeds the national average, impacting how far salaries stretch in daily life. Major employers in the area include top engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, which tend to offer higher salaries for specialized roles, especially in structural and geotechnical engineering. The disparity in civil engineer pay in Falls Church, VA, often hinges on various factors such as the PE license status, project management versus technical track choices, and the tier of the employing firm. To maximize earnings, professionals should focus on securing their PE license to unlock senior-level positions, seek opportunities within high-paying sectors like federal agencies, and consider the lucrative project initiatives funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is likely to boost demand across various civil engineering roles.
More salary data for Falls Church, 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 $86,859 for civil engineersin the Falls Church 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 Falls Church 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