Civil Engineer Salary in Wheeling, WV: $86,661 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Wheeling, WV earns a median $86,661/year (≈ $41.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Wheeling's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.3), that paycheck buys what $98,118 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the West Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, civil engineers working in Wheeling, West Virginia can expect to earn a median annual salary of $86,661, which reflects a competitive edge in light of the national average of $103,492. Salary offerings in this region range from $52,998 at the lower 10th percentile to $136,231 for those at the 90th percentile. Such figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data, shed light on the improving financial environment for engineering professionals in the area. With a growth rate projected at 2.63% annually, the civil engineering job market in Wheeling is on an upward trajectory, presenting promising opportunities for individuals pursuing licensure as they transition from the FE to the PE exam, which can notably elevate earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,998 | $25.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,953 | $30.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,661 | $41.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,292 | $53.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $136,231 | $65.50 |
Median Salary Position
16.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wheeling
In Wheeling, WV, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,233 (2026 est.). At $86,661, the local median is 16.26% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wheeling: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wheeling Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Wheeling median: $86,661/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wheeling Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $91,899 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -16.26% less |
Civil Engineers in Wheeling, WV earn a median of $86,661 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.26% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 5.70% below the West Virginia state average of $91,899.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wheeling has a cost of living 11.68% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wheeling, WV has a cost-of-living index of 88.323 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $86,661 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,118 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.22% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,310
2025 BLS Actual
$84,440
2026 Current Est.
$86,661
2019–2027 Growth
+18.1%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Wheeling (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,920 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,980 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,661 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,940 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wheeling metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 12.1% from $75,310 (2019) to $84,440 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,940 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,630 (18.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wheeling 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) | $52,998 – $62,953 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,953 – $86,661 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,661 – $111,292 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,292 – $136,231 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Wheeling
The local job market in Wheeling currently employs around 100 civil engineers, which signifies a stable demand for engineering talent. Given the cost of living index at 88.323, salaries in Wheeling offer strong purchasing power compared to many other regions. Employers in the area include major players in engineering consulting and construction, such as AECOM and Jacobs, which often provide higher compensation than local government positions or smaller firms. Civil engineers in this area can enhance their salary by obtaining their PE license, specializing in in-demand fields like structural or geotechnical engineering, or exploring project management tracks. As infrastructure spending receives a boost from recent government initiatives, professionals should remain vigilant in seeking opportunities that align with these trends while maximizing their growth in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Wheeling, WV:
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 $84,440 for civil engineersin the Wheeling 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