Civil Engineer Salary in West Virginia: $92,736 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across West Virginia's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median civil engineer pay sits at $92,736/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 17-2051. Because West Virginia sits at BEA RPP 86.5 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $107,209 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Martinsburg ($102,301), Charleston ($94,810), Huntington ($94,520).
In West Virginia, the 2026 average median salary for civil engineers is projected at $92,735, which is lower than the national median of $103,492, reflecting a difference of 10.4%. The highest-paying city in the state is Martinsburg, where civil engineers can expect salaries around $104,992, while Parkersburg offers the lowest at $72,098, indicating a substantial gap of $32,894. This disparity can be attributed to varying demand for infrastructure development, population density, and local economic conditions. West Virginia has specific licensing requirements for civil engineers, which typically include obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license, ensuring quality and safety in engineering practices. The demand for civil engineers is influenced by ongoing projects in transportation, utilities, and natural resources, particularly in areas with observable growth like Martinsburg. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.63% in civil engineering employment, the job market is steadily expanding, reflecting a continued need for skilled professionals. The top cities for employment in 2026 also include Charleston at $97,304, Huntington at $97,006, Weirton at $92,490, and Morgantown at $91,915, highlighting a range of opportunities across the state.
West Virginia Civil Engineer Salary Range
Overall salary range in West Virginia: $45,660 (lowest entry-level) to $171,577 (highest top earner)
West Virginia vs National Average
West Virginia civil engineers earn 10.39% less than the national median ($-10,756/year difference).
West Virginia Civil Engineer Salary Distribution (2026)
Civil Engineer salaries in West Virginia range from $53,294 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $137,850 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $92,736. The West Virginia median is $10,756 below the US national median of $103,492. The average hourly rate is $44.58/hr. Approximately 949 civil engineers are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$81,752
2025 BLS Actual
$90,359
2026 Current Est.
$92,736
2019–2027 Growth
+16.4%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in West Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,752 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,798 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,137 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,628 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,304 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,888 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,359 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,736 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,174 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Virginia metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 10.5% from $81,752 (2019) to $90,359 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,174 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,422 (16.42%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West Virginia 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in West Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in West Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Parkersburg | $72,098 |
| Clarksburg | $85,250 |
| Fairmont | $85,533 |
| Wheeling | $86,661 |
| South Charleston | $88,049 |
Best Value Cities for Civil Engineers in West Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these West Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for civil engineers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martinsburg | $104,992 | 86.5 | $121,378 |
| Huntington | $97,006 | 88.422 | $109,708 |
| Charleston | $97,304 | 88.717 | $109,679 |
| Weirton | $92,490 | 89.024 | $103,893 |
| South Charleston | $88,049 | 86.5 | $101,791 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in West Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $53,294 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $92,736 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $137,850 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across West Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in West Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martinsburg | $104,992 |
| 2 | Charleston | $97,304 |
| 3 | Huntington | $97,006 |
| 4 | Weirton | $92,490 |
| 5 | Morgantown | $91,915 |
| 6 | Beckley | $89,822 |
| 7 | South Charleston | $88,049 |
| 8 | Wheeling | $86,661 |
| 9 | Fairmont | $85,533 |
| 10 | Clarksburg | $85,250 |
| 11 | Parkersburg | $72,098 |
More West Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore civil engineer hourly pay in West Virginia cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced civil engineers.
Explore More Civil Engineer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do civil engineers make in West Virginia in 2026?
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How does West Virginia civil engineer pay compare to the national average?
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Which West Virginia city offers the best value for civil engineers?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 civil engineer compensation across West Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 metro areas — larger metro areas with more civil engineerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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