Civil Engineer Salary in Little Rock, AR: $85,214 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Little Rock, AR earns a median $85,214/year (≈ $40.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Little Rock's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.4), that paycheck buys what $95,356 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Little Rock, Arkansas can expect a median annual salary of $85,214 based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. The salary range for this profession is diverse, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $59,064 and top earners making up to $141,660. This compensation range reflects the differences among various sectors, including consulting groups like AECOM and Jacobs, government roles at the Arkansas Department of Transportation, and construction firms. With a job market that employs around 580 civil engineers, Little Rock's economic landscape illustrates a dynamic interplay between public infrastructure needs and private sector opportunities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,064 | $28.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,420 | $34.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,214 | $40.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,212 | $55.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $141,660 | $68.11 |
Median Salary Position
17.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Little Rock
In Little Rock, AR, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,596 (2026 est.). At $85,214, the local median is 17.66% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Little Rock: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Little Rock Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Little Rock median: $85,214/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Little Rock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $89,888 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -17.66% less |
Civil Engineers in Little Rock, AR earn a median of $85,214 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.66% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 5.20% below the Arkansas state average of $89,888.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Little Rock has a cost of living 10.64% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Little Rock, AR has a cost-of-living index of 89.364 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $85,214 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,356 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.9% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,060
2025 BLS Actual
$83,030
2026 Current Est.
$85,214
2019–2027 Growth
+16.5%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,200 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,810 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,350 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,214 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,455 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Little Rock metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 10.6% from $75,060 (2019) to $83,030 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,455 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,395 (16.51%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Rock 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) | $59,064 – $71,420 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,420 – $85,214 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,214 – $115,212 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,212 – $141,660 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Little Rock
The cost of living in Little Rock, with an index of 89.364, means that the purchasing power of a civil engineer's salary can be relatively strong compared to other regions. While companies such as Bechtel and Fluor in the construction realm tend to offer competitive packages, many top-tier consulting firms also incentivize sought-after positions, particularly for those with a PE license. The variation in pay is influenced by expertise in specialized areas such as structural engineering or transportation, as well as an individual's career path—whether it be technical or project management. As the infrastructure investments spurred by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continue to emerge, civil engineers can enhance their earning potential through advanced certifications, networking within local firms, and seeking positions in high-demand specialties.
More salary data for Little Rock, AR:
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 $83,030 for civil engineersin the Little Rock 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