Civil Engineer Salary in Dothan, AL: $94,707 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Dothan, AL earns a median $94,707/year (≈ $45.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Dothan's price level (16% below national, BEA RPP 83.8), that paycheck buys what $112,971 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Civil engineers in Dothan, Alabama, can expect a median annual salary around $94,707, which is below the national median of $103,492 for 2026. This reflects the local market dynamics, where salaries range from $64,821 at the lower end to $153,740 at the higher end. The figures come from analyses based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, indicating a steady growth in the sector. Aspiring professionals in civil engineering should be aware that obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license can significantly enhance earning potential and expand career opportunities. With ongoing infrastructure projects boosted by funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Dothan’s job market remains promising for civil engineers looking to establish themselves.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,821 | $31.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,557 | $37.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,707 | $45.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $117,706 | $56.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $153,740 | $73.91 |
Median Salary Position
8.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dothan
In Dothan, AL, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $88,919 (2026 est.). At $94,707, the local median is 8.49% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dothan: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dothan Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Dothan median: $94,707/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dothan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $100,007 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -8.49% less |
Civil Engineers in Dothan, AL earn a median of $94,707 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.49% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 5.30% below the Alabama state average of $100,007.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dothan has a cost of living 16.17% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dothan, AL has a cost-of-living index of 83.833 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $94,707 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $112,971 in an average-cost city — an effective 19.28% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$88,400
2025 BLS Actual
$92,280
2026 Current Est.
$94,707
2019–2027 Growth
+10.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Dothan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,610 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,790 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,180 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,707 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,198 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dothan metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 4.4% from $88,400 (2019) to $92,280 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,198 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,798 (9.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dothan 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) | $64,821 – $77,557 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,557 – $94,707 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,707 – $117,706 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $117,706 – $153,740 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Dothan
In Dothan, approximately 80 civil engineers work across various sectors, reflecting a healthy employment landscape within the industry. The local cost of living index stands at 83.833, suggesting that salaries here stretch further compared to national averages, enhancing the take-home purchasing power for engineers. Higher wages tend to be associated with larger engineering consulting firms such as AECOM or Jacobs, while public-sector positions with departments like the state DOT or local public works may offer more stability but typically remain on the lower end of the pay scale. Factors influencing compensation include specialized skills—such as structural or geotechnical engineering—and the career trajectory selected, with project management roles generally offering higher salaries than technical positions. To maximize earnings in Dothan, civil engineers should focus on gaining their PE license, seek opportunities in high-tier firms, and stay informed about infrastructure spending initiatives.
More salary data for Dothan, AL:
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 $92,280 for civil engineersin the Dothan 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, 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