Civil Engineer Salary in Kenosha, WI: $97,591 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Kenosha, WI earns a median $97,591/year (≈ $46.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Kenosha's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.1), that paycheck buys what $96,512 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Civil engineers in Kenosha, Wisconsin, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $97,591 in 2026. This figure reflects the impact of increased infrastructure spending stemming from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has positively influenced local hiring trends in the civil engineering sector. The salary range for civil engineers in this area extends from $74,684 at the 10th percentile to $126,440 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the potential for significant income variation based on experience, specialization, and the type of employer. These figures are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, illuminating the current landscape for those considering a career in civil engineering within the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,684 | $35.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,053 | $36.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,591 | $46.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,986 | $50.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,440 | $60.79 |
Median Salary Position
5.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kenosha
In Kenosha, WI, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,756 (2026 est.). At $97,591, the local median is 5.7% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kenosha: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kenosha Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Kenosha median: $97,591/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kenosha Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $96,149 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -5.70% less |
Civil Engineers in Kenosha, WI earn a median of $97,591 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.70% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.50% above the Wisconsin state average of $96,149.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kenosha has a cost of living 1.12% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kenosha, WI has a cost-of-living index of 101.118 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $97,591 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $96,512 — a 1.11% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,096
2025 BLS Actual
$95,090
2026 Current Est.
$97,591
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Kenosha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,096 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,029 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,812 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,422 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,591 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,158 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kenosha metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $82,096 (2019) to $95,090 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,158 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,062 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kenosha 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) | $74,684 – $75,053 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,053 – $97,591 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,591 – $105,986 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,986 – $126,440 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Kenosha
In terms of local job market dynamics, Kenosha employs approximately 50 civil engineers, providing a modest yet stable career base. With a cost-of-living index of 101.118, professionals may recognize a slight increase in living expenses compared to the national average, which can influence their overall purchasing power. The highest-paying employers typically include prestigious engineering consulting firms such as Jacobs and WSP, alongside larger construction companies like Bechtel and Fluor. Various factors drive the disparity in compensation, notably the Professional Engineer (PE) license, specialized skills in areas like transportation or geotechnical engineering, and the distinctions between consulting, governmental roles, and private sector positions. For those looking to enhance their civil engineer pay in Kenosha, pursuing licensure and targeting positions that prioritize infrastructure development can yield substantial benefits.
More salary data for Kenosha, 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 $95,090 for civil engineersin the Kenosha 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, 2-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