Senior Civil Engineer Salary in Collierville, TN: $152,839 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of civil engineers working in Collierville, TN — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $152,839/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 17-2051. Strip back Collierville's price premium (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $166,491 in average-cost America. The 55% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Collierville, TN, experienced civil engineers have the potential to achieve remarkable salaries, with the top earners reaching a projected $152,839 in 2026. This significant figure offers a clear contrast to the median annual salary of $98,606, illustrating the rewarding gap that senior professionals can benefit from as they accumulate more than seven years of experience. For those targeting the upper echelons of the compensation scale, a keen understanding of project management, advanced engineering principles, and specialized skills in areas such as structural or transportation engineering is essential. With national counterparts earning a median salary of $103,492, the calculated difference reflects the competitive nature of civil engineering roles and the importance of advancing one's career through strategic choices and professional development.
About the Collierville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Collierville
Experienced civil engineers at the top of the pay scale in Collierville earn between $126,215 and $152,839 per year (2026 est.). This $88,149 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Collierville median of $98,606 sits 4.72% below the US median.
Top CE, PE Salary Comparison
| Level | Collierville | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $98,606 | $103,492 |
| 75th Percentile | $126,215 | $133,091 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $152,839 | $167,513 |
In Collierville, experienced civil engineers (P90) earn 55.00% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Civil Engineer Pay in Collierville
Advanced Certifications in Tennessee
TN civil engineers with additional specialty certifications within the civil engineering field earn significantly above the $98,606 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Collierville employers.
Specialty Focus
Civil Engineers focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the civil engineering field in Collierville command premium compensation, often reaching the $126,215–$152,839 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Collierville metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced civil engineers who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured civil engineers in Collierville with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Civil Engineers in Tennessee who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Civil Engineer Career & Wage Growth Path in Collierville
Clinical Civil Engineer
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Civil Engineer
5-10 yearsCivil Engineer Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedCollierville ranks #9 of 30 Tennessee cities for top earner civil engineer salary (90th percentile: $152,839).
Top 10% civil engineer compensation in Collierville ($152,839) is 3.52% below the Tennessee average P90 ($158,408).
2019 BLS Actual
$131,897
2025 BLS Actual
$148,922
2026 Current Est.
$152,839
2019–2027 Growth
+18.9%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Collierville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $131,897 | Actual |
| 2020 | $132,125 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,641 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,541 | Actual |
| 2023 | $137,444 | Actual |
| 2024 | $125,496 | Actual |
| 2025 | $148,922 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $152,839 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $156,858 | Projected |
Top-earning civil engineers (90th percentile) in Collierville saw their compensation grow 12.9% from $131,897 in 2019 to $148,922 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 2.63% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $156,858 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Collierville 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.
Maximizing Your Civil Engineer Earnings in Collierville
At this senior level, specializing in fields such as structural engineering, geotechnical, environmental, and transportation engineering is crucial for maximizing pay opportunities in Collierville. Compensation can vary significantly depending on the employer type, with consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs often providing higher salaries compared to public sector positions in state and local government agencies. The path to senior roles typically involves a progression from engineer-in-training to acquiring PE licensure, followed by senior engineer positions, project management roles, and potentially partnership opportunities within a consulting firm. Credentials like a professional engineering license (PE) or additional qualifications such as LEED AP can further enhance earning potential. Non-salary factors, including firm prestige and the nature of projects influenced by government-funded infrastructure initiatives, also play a critical role in shaping overall compensation for senior civil engineers in Tennessee.
More salary data for Collierville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced civil engineers make in Collierville in 2026?
What drives higher civil engineer pay in Collierville?
What certifications boost civil engineer salary in Collierville?
Can experienced civil engineers make six figures in Collierville?
How much does civil engineer salary increase over time in Collierville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $148,922 for civil engineers in the Collierville metro area. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Collierville 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