Civil Engineer Salary in Waynesboro, VA: $91,848 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Waynesboro, VA earns a median $91,848/year (≈ $44.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Waynesboro's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $89,000 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waynesboro, Virginia, the strong influence of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) has bolstered the demand for civil engineers, reflected in the projected median salary of $91,848 for 2026. This figure illustrates a competitive local market, even as it remains below the national median of $103,492 for civil engineer salaries. With a salary range spanning from $64,140 at the 10th percentile to $142,364 at the 90th percentile, civil engineers in this area can expect a diverse compensation landscape. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, highlight the ongoing evolution of the job market for civil engineers in Waynesboro, pointing to opportunities fueled by infrastructure projects and regional development.
About the Waynesboro Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,140 | $30.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,012 | $35.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,848 | $44.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,205 | $53.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $142,364 | $68.44 |
Median Salary Position
11.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waynesboro
In Waynesboro, VA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,224 (2026 est.). At $91,848, the local median is 11.25% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waynesboro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waynesboro Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Waynesboro median: $91,848/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waynesboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $96,682 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -11.25% less |
Civil Engineers in Waynesboro, VA earn a median of $91,848 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.25% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 5.00% below the Virginia state average of $96,682.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waynesboro has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waynesboro, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $91,848 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $89,000 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,264
2025 BLS Actual
$89,494
2026 Current Est.
$91,848
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Waynesboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,264 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,605 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,143 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,820 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,101 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,888 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,494 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,848 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,263 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waynesboro metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $77,264 (2019) to $89,494 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,263 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,999 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waynesboro 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) | $64,140 – $73,012 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,012 – $91,848 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,848 – $112,205 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,205 – $142,364 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Waynesboro
Currently, Waynesboro has a limited number of employed civil engineers, with only four professionals working in the area, indicative of a niche market. The local cost-of-living index sits at 103.2, slightly above the national average, which may impact the purchasing power of civil engineer pay in Waynesboro, VA. Employers such as AECOM, Jacobs, and other top engineering consulting firms are likely to offer the most lucrative salaries, especially for those with specialized skills. The salary spread among engineers can be attributed to various factors, including the necessity of a PE license for advancing to senior roles and the nature of the projects undertaken—government contracts leading to stability versus private sector jobs, often yielding higher pay. For civil engineers seeking to maximize their salaries in this market, focusing on gaining relevant credentials, nurturing professional relationships, and pursuing opportunities within higher-tier firms can be effective strategies in navigating the evolving landscape of civil engineering in Waynesboro.
More salary data for Waynesboro, 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 $89,494 for civil engineersin the Waynesboro 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 Waynesboro 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