Civil Engineer Salary in Lacey, WA: $110,175 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Lacey, WA earns a median $110,175/year (≈ $52.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Lacey's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $102,584 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With the impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) resonating through the region, civil engineers in Lacey, Washington, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $110,175 in 2026. This figure reflects a competitive compensation landscape, especially when compared to the national median of $103,492, resulting in a notable local premium of 6.46%. Salaries range from a lower end of $77,808 to an upper tier of $170,772, indicating robust demand for civil engineering expertise spurred by ongoing infrastructure projects and growth initiatives in the area. These estimates, drawn from 2025 BLS data projections, highlight Lacey's distinct market conditions, underscoring its strategic importance in the broader economic framework and employment context.
About the Lacey Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,808 | $37.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,027 | $42.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $110,175 | $52.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $138,739 | $66.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $170,772 | $82.10 |
Median Salary Position
6.46% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lacey
In Lacey, WA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $92,964 (2026 est.). At $110,175, the local median is 6.46% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lacey: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lacey Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Lacey median: $110,175/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lacey Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $110,618 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | +6.46% more |
Civil Engineers in Lacey, WA earn a median of $110,175 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.46% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 0.40% below the Washington state average of $110,618.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lacey has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lacey, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $110,175 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $102,584 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$92,682
2025 BLS Actual
$107,352
2026 Current Est.
$110,175
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Lacey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,682 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,736 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,748 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,082 | Actual |
| 2024 | $121,272 | Actual |
| 2025 | $107,352 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $110,175 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $113,073 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lacey metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $92,682 (2019) to $107,352 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $113,073 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,391 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lacey 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) | $77,808 – $89,027 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,027 – $110,175 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $110,175 – $138,739 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $138,739 – $170,772 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Lacey
In Lacey, the local job market shows a modest cohort of civil engineers, with only 12 currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index of 107.4 suggests that purchasing power may be slightly strained compared to national averages. As a result, professionals considering opportunities in Lacey should be aware that larger engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs typically offer higher salaries than smaller local practices or government roles. A notable disparity in pay occurs based on qualifications, with those holding a PE license commanding higher earnings, especially in specialized fields such as structural or geotechnical engineering. To maximize civil engineer pay in Lacey, candidates should seek positions with higher-tier firms or consider enhancing their credentials. Building relationships within local firms may also open doors given the competitive nature of the market.
More salary data for Lacey, 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 $107,352 for civil engineersin the Lacey 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 Lacey 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