Civil Engineer Salary

Ballwin vs Kansas City: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare civil engineer salaries between Ballwin, MO and Kansas City, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Ballwin, MO
$81,792
$39.33/hr
Kansas City, MO
$101,460
$48.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBallwin, MOKansas City, MO
Median Salary$81,792$101,460
Hourly Rate$39.33$48.78
Entry Level (P10)$56,668$69,829
25th Percentile$64,913$80,852
75th Percentile$104,085$130,617
Top Earner (P90)$126,778$159,189
Total Employed43,230
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Ballwin ($81,792) and Kansas City ($101,460) civil engineer salaries.BallwinKansas CityMedian Salary$81,792$101,460Entry Level (P10)$56,668$69,829Top Earner (P90)$126,778$159,189US Median $103,492

Verdict

Kansas City, MO offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Ballwin.

The salary gap between Ballwin and Kansas City is $19,668 (24.05%). Kansas City's median is -1.96% compared to the US national median of $103,492.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Ballwin spans $70,110,Kansas City spans $89,360. Kansas City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced civil engineers.

Ballwin
P10 (Entry)$56,668
P25$64,913
Median$81,792
P75$104,085
P90 (Top)$126,778
Kansas City
P10 (Entry)$69,829
P25$80,852
Median$101,460
P75$130,617
P90 (Top)$159,189

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kansas City ($109,636 effective) pays 20.10% more than Ballwin ($91,286 effective).

Ballwin
Nominal: $81,792
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $91,286
Kansas City
Nominal: $101,460
CoL Index: 92.543
Adjusted: $109,636

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Ballwin if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Kansas City if…

  • Higher median salary ($101,460/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($159,189)
  • Larger job market (3,230 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $109,636)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Ballwin grew 5.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.0% growth in Kansas City over the same period.

Ballwin, MO

+5.5%

$75,568 (2024) → $79,696 (2025)

Kansas City, MO

+33.0%

$74,320 (2019) → $98,860 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Ballwin or Kansas City?

Kansas City has a higher median civil engineer salary at $101,460/year, compared to Ballwin at $81,792/year — a difference of $19,668 (24.05%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Ballwin and Kansas City?

Ballwin civil engineers earn $39.33/hr while Kansas City hygienists earn $48.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Ballwin to Kansas City as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Ballwin and Kansas City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Ballwin = $91,286, Kansas City = $109,636), job availability (4 vs 3,230 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level civil engineers earn in Ballwin vs Kansas City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $56,668 in Ballwin and $69,829 in Kansas City. The Kansas City area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JC

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.

Clinically reviewed by Aisha Patel, Ph.D.Data verified by Carlos Ramirez, M.S.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.63% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov