Civil Engineer Salary in Lake Stevens, WA: $106,993 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Lake Stevens, WA earns a median $106,993/year (≈ $51.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Lake Stevens's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $99,621 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, civil engineers in Lake Stevens, WA, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $106,993, reflecting a competitive compensation package compared to the national median of $103,492. The salary range for civil engineering roles in the area varies significantly, from $78,490 at the 10th percentile to $163,558 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, incorporating regional cost adjustments, which indicate a robust demand for engineers influenced by infrastructure initiatives in Washington. As professionals progress from an Engineer in Training (EIT) to achieving their Professional Engineer (PE) licensure, their earning potential can substantially increase, particularly in a market experiencing growth in civil engineering jobs.
About the Lake Stevens Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,490 | $37.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,470 | $42.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,993 | $51.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $133,283 | $64.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $163,558 | $78.64 |
Median Salary Position
3.38% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Stevens
In Lake Stevens, WA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $85,068 (2026 est.). At $106,993, the local median is 3.38% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Stevens: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Stevens Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Lake Stevens median: $106,993/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Stevens Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $110,644 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | +3.38% more |
Civil Engineers in Lake Stevens, WA earn a median of $106,993 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.38% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 3.30% below the Washington state average of $110,644.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Stevens has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Stevens, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $106,993 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $99,621 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,005
2025 BLS Actual
$104,251
2026 Current Est.
$106,993
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Lake Stevens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,005 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,566 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,028 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,982 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,134 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,455 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,251 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,993 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,807 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Stevens metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $90,005 (2019) to $104,251 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,807 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,802 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Stevens 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) | $78,490 – $88,470 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,470 – $106,993 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,993 – $133,283 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $133,283 – $163,558 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Lake Stevens
While only nine civil engineers are currently employed in Lake Stevens, the region offers opportunities that leverage the skills of these professionals in a growing market. The cost of living in the area stands at a slightly elevated index of 107.4, which affects the actual purchasing power of take-home salaries. Employers willing to pay top dollar include prominent engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, alongside major construction companies such as Bechtel and Kiewit. Variations within pay rates are driven by licensing status, area of specialty—such as structural and geotechnical engineering—and employer type. With the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law raising government spending on public projects, civil engineers poised to take advantage of such initiatives while attaining their PE licensure can expect to maximize their earnings potential in Lake Stevens. Thus, strategic positioning within the employment landscape and a focus on specialized skills remain vital for career advancement in this area.
More salary data for Lake Stevens, 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 $104,251 for civil engineersin the Lake Stevens 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 Lake Stevens 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