Civil Engineer Salary in Kansas: $92,703 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kansas's 22 metropolitan areas, the average median civil engineer pay sits at $92,703/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 17-2051. Because Kansas sits at BEA RPP 90.9 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $101,983 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Kansas City ($99,489), Lawrence ($97,220), Manhattan ($96,030).
In 2026, civil engineers in Kansas are projected to earn an average median salary of $92,704, which is approximately 10.4% lower than the national median of $103,492. The highest-paying city in the state is Kansas City, with a median salary of $102,106, while Wichita offers the lowest at $86,527. This $15,579 salary gap can be attributed to factors such as cost of living differences, local demand for infrastructure projects, and the concentration of civil engineering firms in metropolitan areas. Kansas has specific licensing requirements and practice laws that regulate civil engineering, which can influence job availability and competitive salaries. The projected employment growth rate for civil engineers in the state is 2.63%, indicating a steady demand for professionals in this field. As the population grows and infrastructure needs evolve, cities like Lawrence ($99,777), Manhattan ($98,556), Topeka ($96,205), and Overland Park ($95,612) are poised for increases in civil engineering jobs. The total number of employed civil engineers in Kansas stands at 1,361, reflecting a stable job market. Understanding these factors can help potential candidates make informed decisions about their careers in civil engineering throughout the state.
Kansas Civil Engineer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kansas: $50,022 (lowest entry-level) to $158,264 (highest top earner)
Kansas vs National Average
Kansas civil engineers earn 10.42% less than the national median ($-10,789/year difference).
Kansas Civil Engineer Salary Distribution (2026)
Civil Engineer salaries in Kansas range from $58,592 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $136,686 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $92,703. The Kansas median is $10,789 below the US national median of $103,492. The average hourly rate is $44.57/hr. Approximately 1,361 civil engineers are employed across 22 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$76,631
2025 BLS Actual
$90,328
2026 Current Est.
$92,703
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Kansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,631 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,519 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,561 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,142 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,153 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,315 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,328 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,703 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,141 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kansas metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 17.9% from $76,631 (2019) to $90,328 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,141 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,510 (24.15%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kansas 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Kansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Kansas
Best Value Cities for Civil Engineers in Kansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kansas cities offer the most purchasing power for civil engineers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $102,106 | 90.9 | $112,328 |
| Lawrence | $99,777 | 90.243 | $110,565 |
| Manhattan | $98,556 | 90.162 | $109,310 |
| Topeka | $96,205 | 88.82 | $108,315 |
| Overland Park | $95,612 | 90.9 | $105,184 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $58,592 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $92,703 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $136,686 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 22 Cities in Kansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City | $102,106 |
| 2 | Lawrence | $99,777 |
| 3 | Manhattan | $98,556 |
| 4 | Topeka | $96,205 |
| 5 | Overland Park | $95,612 |
| 6 | Olathe | $94,396 |
| 7 | Lenexa | $94,166 |
| 8 | Garden City | $93,233 |
| 9 | Derby | $92,767 |
| 10 | Hutchinson | $92,030 |
| 11 | Leavenworth | $92,001 |
| 12 | Shawnee | $91,707 |
| 13 | Salina | $91,030 |
| 14 | Leawood | $90,526 |
| 15 | Dodge City | $89,001 |
| 16 | Junction City | $88,716 |
| 17 | Prairie Village | $88,342 |
| 18 | Hays | $88,080 |
| 19 | Liberal | $87,740 |
| 20 | Gardner | $87,239 |
| 21 | Emporia | $86,850 |
| 22 | Wichita | $86,527 |
More Kansas Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced civil engineers.
Explore More Civil Engineer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do civil engineers make in Kansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for civil engineers in Kansas?
How does Kansas civil engineer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level civil engineer salary in Kansas?
How many civil engineers are employed in Kansas?
Which Kansas city offers the best value for civil engineers?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 civil engineer compensation across Kansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 22 metro areas — larger metro areas with more civil engineerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and 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