Civil Engineer Salary in Onalaska, WI: $99,710 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Onalaska, WI earns a median $99,710/year (≈ $47.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Onalaska's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $106,756 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% above the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Onalaska, Wisconsin, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $99,710, a figure that represents a slight decline compared to the national median of $103,492. The salary for civil engineers in this area spans a range from $69,766 at the 10th percentile to $147,351 at the 90th percentile. These estimated figures are derived from the 2025 BLS OEWS data, with regional cost adjustments factored in for Onalaska. As civil engineers progress from their Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) certification to obtaining their Professional Engineer (PE) license, there is a notable increase in salary potential, which can significantly influence overall compensation in the area, especially as infrastructure projects are driven by federal funding incentives.
About the Onalaska Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,766 | $33.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,517 | $40.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,710 | $47.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,052 | $58.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $147,351 | $70.85 |
Median Salary Position
3.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Onalaska
In Onalaska, WI, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $77,585 (2026 est.). At $99,710, the local median is 3.65% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Onalaska: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Onalaska Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Onalaska median: $99,710/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Onalaska Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $96,153 | +3.70% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -3.65% less |
Civil Engineers in Onalaska, WI earn a median of $99,710 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.65% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 3.70% above the Wisconsin state average of $96,153.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Onalaska has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Onalaska, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $99,710 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $106,756 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,879
2025 BLS Actual
$97,155
2026 Current Est.
$99,710
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Onalaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,879 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,333 | Actual |
| 2021 | $84,832 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,653 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,386 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,855 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,155 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,710 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,333 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Onalaska metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $83,879 (2019) to $97,155 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,333 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,454 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Onalaska 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) | $69,766 – $83,517 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,517 – $99,710 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,710 – $122,052 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,052 – $147,351 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Onalaska
Only four civil engineers are currently employed in Onalaska, which creates a unique local job market dynamic. With a cost-of-living index of 93.4, salary levels allow for relatively good purchasing power, particularly when compared to national standards. Local engineering firms and public works departments may offer varied pay levels, with larger consulting firms often leading in remuneration. Civil engineers specializing in structural or geotechnical fields often enjoy a pay premium, while those who hold a PE license may find more opportunities for advancement into senior roles. To optimize earnings in the Onalaska market, civil engineers should consider pursuing specialized skills aligned with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's projects, strategically choosing employers who offer competitive salary packages that reflect both local industry demand and expertise areas.
More salary data for Onalaska, 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 $97,155 for civil engineersin the Onalaska 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
Salary data for Onalaska is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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