Civil Engineer Salary in Eau Claire, WI: $95,733 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Eau Claire, WI earns a median $95,733/year (≈ $46.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Eau Claire's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $103,165 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the average compensation for civil engineers reflects a diverse range of employment settings, with a 2026 median annual salary projected at $95,733. This figure is noteworthy when compared to the national median of $103,492, highlighting a slight discrepancy in pay. Within Eau Claire, salaries span from $64,000 to $130,032, indicating significant variability based on factors such as experience and employer. This salary data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, demonstrates that civil engineers working within consulting firms may see higher compensation levels than those in government roles or construction. The competitive pay within the consulting sector, particularly from firms like AECOM and Jacobs, reflects the increasing demand for civil engineers due to ongoing infrastructure projects and related spending.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,000 | $30.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,204 | $37.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,733 | $46.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,986 | $50.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,032 | $62.52 |
Median Salary Position
7.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Eau Claire
In Eau Claire, WI, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,032 (2026 est.). At $95,733, the local median is 7.5% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Eau Claire: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Eau Claire Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Eau Claire median: $95,733/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Eau Claire Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $96,118 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -7.50% less |
Civil Engineers in Eau Claire, WI earn a median of $95,733 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.50% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.40% below the Wisconsin state average of $96,118.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Eau Claire has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Eau Claire, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.796 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $95,733 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $103,165 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,940
2025 BLS Actual
$93,280
2026 Current Est.
$95,733
2019–2027 Growth
+36.6%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Eau Claire (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,940 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,820 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,733 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,251 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Eau Claire metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 29.7% from $71,940 (2019) to $93,280 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,251 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,311 (36.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Eau Claire 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) | $64,000 – $78,204 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,204 – $95,733 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,733 – $105,986 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,986 – $130,032 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Eau Claire
Looking deeper into Eau Claire's local market, there are approximately 190 civil engineers employed in the area, which enhances the community's occupational landscape. The cost of living index stands at 92.796, suggesting that living expenses are below the national average and allowing civil engineers to maximize their take-home pay. Employers such as state Department of Transportation offices, local public works departments, and federal agencies typically offer competitive salaries, yet top-tier engineering firms often provide the highest pay. Factors contributing to salary differentials include the attainment of a Professional Engineer (PE) license, specialization in areas like structural or geotechnical engineering, and distinctions between project manager and technical individual contributor tracks. Professionals looking to optimize their civil engineer pay in Eau Claire should focus on building relationships within the local market and seeking positions that offer opportunities for obtaining a PE license, as this credential can significantly enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Eau Claire, WI:
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 $93,280 for civil engineersin the Eau Claire 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