Civil Engineer Salary in Harrisonburg, VA: $80,842 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Harrisonburg, VA earns a median $80,842/year (≈ $38.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Harrisonburg's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.9), that paycheck buys what $85,194 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.4% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Harrisonburg, Virginia, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $80,842, which falls well below the national median of $103,492, highlighting a disparity of about 21.89%. Salary ranges also paint a broad picture, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $62,235, while experienced professionals can earn as much as $158,132. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, reflect the unique dynamics of the local job market. As civil engineers in Harrisonburg navigate their careers, pursuing Professional Engineer (PE) licensure can significantly enhance earning potential, often serving as a key factor for access to senior-level roles as well as project manager positions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,235 | $29.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,686 | $33.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,842 | $38.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,608 | $51.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $158,132 | $76.03 |
Median Salary Position
21.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Harrisonburg
In Harrisonburg, VA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $95,897 (2026 est.). At $80,842, the local median is 21.89% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Harrisonburg: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Harrisonburg Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Harrisonburg median: $80,842/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Harrisonburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $96,701 | -16.40% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -21.89% less |
Civil Engineers in Harrisonburg, VA earn a median of $80,842 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.89% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 16.40% below the Virginia state average of $96,701.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Harrisonburg has a cost of living 5.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Harrisonburg, VA has a cost-of-living index of 94.892 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $80,842 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,194 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.38% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,560
2025 BLS Actual
$78,770
2026 Current Est.
$80,842
2019–2027 Growth
+14.3%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Harrisonburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,560 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,450 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,770 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,842 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,968 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Harrisonburg metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 8.6% from $72,560 (2019) to $78,770 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,968 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,408 (14.34%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Harrisonburg 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) | $62,235 – $69,686 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,686 – $80,842 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,842 – $107,608 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,608 – $158,132 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Harrisonburg
Employed in various sectors, there are around 70 civil engineers working in Harrisonburg, which contributes to a relatively stable job market for this profession. The local cost of living index stands at 94.892, indicating that day-to-day expenses are lower than the national average. This factor positively influences the take-home purchasing power for engineers. Among local employers, top engineering consulting firms such as AECOM and Jacobs tend to offer the highest salaries, while positions in government and smaller firms may present lower compensation levels. The pay disparity in the civil engineer market can often be traced back to the type of engineering specialization, the tier of the firm, and whether professionals are on a managerial track or remain in technical roles. To maximize earnings, engineers should leverage relationships within the local industry, consider the impact of infrastructure spending from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and aim for positions that value PE licensure as a benchmark for advancement in Harrisonburg, VA.
More salary data for Harrisonburg, 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 $78,770 for civil engineersin the Harrisonburg 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