Senior Civil Engineer Salary in Texarkana, TX: $164,526 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of civil engineers working in Texarkana, TX — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $164,526/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 17-2051. Strip back Texarkana's price premium (BEA RPP 84.0, 16% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $195,836 in average-cost America. The 98% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source

Achieving top-tier compensation as a senior civil engineer in Texarkana can be exceptionally rewarding, with salaries for the highest earners projected to reach up to $164,526 in 2026. This places the 90th percentile of earners in Texarkana significantly above many of their peers across the nation, where top civil engineer salaries average $103,492. The experience premium is noteworthy in this setting, with the median salary for experienced civil engineers at $82,905. To break into the upper echelon of earners, professionals often need more than simply years of experience; they typically exhibit specialization in high-demand areas such as structural engineering or transportation, alongside advanced credentials, which increasingly define compensation trajectories in the industry.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Texarkana
Experienced civil engineers at the top of the pay scale in Texarkana earn between $118,240 and $164,526 per year (2026 est.). This $109,732 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Texarkana median of $82,905 sits 19.89% below the US median.
Top CE, PE Salary Comparison
| Level | Texarkana | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $82,905 | $103,492 |
| 75th Percentile | $118,240 | $133,091 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $164,526 | $167,513 |
In Texarkana, experienced civil engineers (P90) earn 98.45% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Civil Engineer Pay in Texarkana
Advanced Certifications in Texas
TX civil engineers with additional specialty certifications within the civil engineering field earn significantly above the $82,905 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Texarkana employers.
Specialty Focus
Civil Engineers focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the civil engineering field in Texarkana command premium compensation, often reaching the $118,240–$164,526 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Texarkana 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 Texarkana 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 Texas 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 Texarkana
Clinical Civil Engineer
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Civil Engineer
5-10 yearsCivil Engineer Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedTexarkana ranks #4 of 109 Texas cities for top earner civil engineer salary (90th percentile: $164,526).
Top 10% civil engineer compensation in Texarkana ($164,526) is 1.82% above the Texas average P90 ($161,590).
2019 BLS Actual
$148,790
2025 BLS Actual
$160,310
2026 Current Est.
$164,526
2019–2027 Growth
+13.5%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Texarkana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $148,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $129,930 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,730 | Actual |
| 2022 | $131,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $142,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,030 | Actual |
| 2025 | $160,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $164,526 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $168,853 | Projected |
Top-earning civil engineers (90th percentile) in Texarkana saw their compensation grow 7.7% from $148,790 in 2019 to $160,310 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 $168,853 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Texarkana 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 Texarkana
The Texarkana market reflects variances in senior civil engineer pay based on area of expertise and employer type. Areas like water resources, geotechnical engineering, and environmental management not only command premium pay but also offer diverse career paths, from project management at large engineering consulting firms to leadership roles within Fortune 500 construction companies. Each sector plays a crucial role in shaping salary expectations; consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs tend to offer competitive salaries, while local public works and state DOT positions may yield benefits in stability and work-life balance. As civil engineers advance through the ranks, obtaining credentials such as the Professional Engineer (PE) license or specializations like LEED AP can significantly impact earning potential. Furthermore, the ongoing infrastructure spending boom fueled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) intensifies demand for experienced professionals, making it an optimal time to harness opportunities in both government and private sectors across Texarkana, TX.
More salary data for Texarkana, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced civil engineers make in Texarkana in 2026?
What drives higher civil engineer pay in Texarkana?
What certifications boost civil engineer salary in Texarkana?
Can experienced civil engineers make six figures in Texarkana?
How much does civil engineer salary increase over time in Texarkana?
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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
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 $160,310 for civil engineers in the Texarkana 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
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