Civil Engineer Salary in Covington, WA: $103,850 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Covington, WA earns a median $103,850/year (≈ $49.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Covington's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $96,695 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.1% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Covington, Washington, can expect a median annual salary of $103,850, slightly surpassing the national median of $103,492. Salaries in this profession range from $70,513 at the lower end (10th percentile) to as much as $160,108 for the top earners (90th percentile), reflecting a diverse spectrum based on experience, specialization, and employer type. These numbers are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variances. The civil engineering job market in Covington is impacted by the increasing demand for professionals driven by infrastructure investment, making this a viable location for career growth and financial advancement for engineers transitioning from FE to PE licensure.
About the Covington Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,513 | $33.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,093 | $40.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,850 | $49.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $131,537 | $63.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $160,108 | $76.97 |
Median Salary Position
0.35% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Covington
In Covington, WA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $89,595 (2026 est.). At $103,850, the local median is 0.35% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Covington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Covington Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Covington median: $103,850/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Covington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $110,597 | -6.10% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | +0.35% more |
Civil Engineers in Covington, WA earn a median of $103,850 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.35% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 6.10% below the Washington state average of $110,597.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Covington has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Covington, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $103,850 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $96,695 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,361
2025 BLS Actual
$101,189
2026 Current Est.
$103,850
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Covington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,361 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,877 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,355 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,251 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,222 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,946 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,189 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,850 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,582 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Covington metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $87,361 (2019) to $101,189 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,582 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,221 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Covington 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) | $70,513 – $85,093 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,093 – $103,850 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,850 – $131,537 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $131,537 – $160,108 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Covington
A small pool of just five civil engineers currently contributes to the local workforce, which likely indicates a competitive edge for skilled candidates in Covington, WA. The cost-of-living index at 107.4 suggests that while salaries are robust, purchasing power must be weighed against area living expenses. Leading employers such as AECOM, Jacobs, and Kiewit typically offer higher compensation packages, alongside strong benefits and advancement opportunities. The considerable disparity in pay among engineers can be attributed to factors like licensure status, specialization in fields like structural or geotechnical engineering, and the employer's tier, whether top consulting firms, mid-tier businesses, or local government agencies. For engineers looking to maximize their earning potential, pursuing licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) and considering roles within established consulting firms can be strategic moves within the evolving market in Covington.
More salary data for Covington, WA:
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 $101,189 for civil engineersin the Covington 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 Covington 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