Civil Engineer Salary in Wenatchee, WA: $103,153 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Wenatchee, WA earns a median $103,153/year (≈ $49.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Wenatchee's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.9), that paycheck buys what $99,324 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.8% below the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the civil engineer salary in Wenatchee is projected to reach a median of $103,153, making it competitive with the national median of $103,492. This income landscape illustrates the diverse pay range in the field, with salaries beginning at approximately $86,722 and reaching up to $132,824 for the highest earners. The figures detailed here are derived from data collected through the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys. The compensation structure in Wenatchee reflects a blend of opportunities across different sectors, including consulting firms, government projects, and construction companies, underscoring the area's dynamic job market for civil engineering professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,722 | $41.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,795 | $46.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,153 | $49.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $130,001 | $62.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132,824 | $63.86 |
Median Salary Position
0.33% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wenatchee
In Wenatchee, WA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,102 (2026 est.). At $103,153, the local median is 0.33% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wenatchee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wenatchee Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Wenatchee median: $103,153/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wenatchee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $110,680 | -6.80% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -0.33% less |
Civil Engineers in Wenatchee, WA earn a median of $103,153 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.33% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 6.80% below the Washington state average of $110,680.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wenatchee has a cost of living 3.86% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wenatchee, WA has a cost-of-living index of 103.855 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $103,153 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $99,324 — a 3.71% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$88,060
2025 BLS Actual
$100,510
2026 Current Est.
$103,153
2019–2027 Growth
+20.2%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Wenatchee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,153 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,866 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wenatchee metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 14.1% from $88,060 (2019) to $100,510 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,866 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,806 (20.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wenatchee 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) | $86,722 – $95,795 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,795 – $103,153 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,153 – $130,001 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $130,001 – $132,824 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Wenatchee
The local job market features around 180 civil engineers, offering a robust environment for aspiring and established professionals alike. With a cost of living index of 103.855, take-home pay can be affected by regional expenses, making it crucial for engineers in Wenatchee to understand the local compensation trends. Consulting firms such as AECOM and Jacobs tend to offer higher pay compared to governmental agencies like the state Department of Transportation or local public works departments. The discrepancy in pay is often driven by factors such as the need for a Professional Engineer (PE) license, specialized skill sets in areas like structural or geotechnical engineering, and the nature of the projects being undertaken. To optimize earning potential, civil engineers should aim for advanced credentials and consider roles within top-tier firms or seek opportunities that align with ongoing infrastructure investments—especially given the growth spurred by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for Wenatchee, 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 $100,510 for civil engineersin the Wenatchee 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