Civil Engineer Salary in Kentucky: $105,235 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kentucky's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median civil engineer pay sits at $105,235/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 17-2051. Because Kentucky sits at BEA RPP 89.3 (11% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $117,844 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Louisville ($110,060), Lexington ($103,090), Louisville/Jefferson County ($102,650).
In 2026, civil engineers in Kentucky are projected to earn an average median salary of $105,235, which is slightly above the national median of $103,492, reflecting a positive position in the job market with a difference of 1.7%. The highest salaries can be found in Louisville at $112,955, while Owensboro offers the lowest at $93,835, marking a salary gap of $19,120. This disparity arises from various factors including cost of living differences, local demand for infrastructure projects, and varying scopes of practice that can drive up compensation in metro areas with higher investment and development activities. Kentucky's civil engineers must navigate state licensing requirements and specific practice laws that can influence their career trajectories. Additionally, local demand drivers such as urban development, infrastructure repair, and environmental projects contribute to the overall job outlook. With a projected growth rate of 2.63% annually, the employment environment appears steady, indicating consistent opportunities for new entrants and growth for existing professionals. The top five cities for civil engineer salaries in 2026, listed in order, include Louisville at $112,955, Lexington at $105,801, Louisville/Jefferson County at $105,350, Paducah at $103,605, and Independence at $102,784, underscoring the varied landscape across different regions of the state.
Kentucky Civil Engineer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kentucky: $63,097 (lowest entry-level) to $228,608 (highest top earner)
Kentucky vs National Average
Kentucky civil engineers earn 1.68% more than the national median (+$1,743/year difference).
Kentucky Civil Engineer Salary Distribution (2026)
Civil Engineer salaries in Kentucky range from $69,775 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $154,031 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $105,235. The Kentucky median is $1,743 above the US national median of $103,492. The average hourly rate is $50.59/hr. Approximately 1,953 civil engineers are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$80,913
2025 BLS Actual
$102,538
2026 Current Est.
$105,235
2019–2027 Growth
+33.5%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Kentucky (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,913 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,341 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,076 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,318 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,327 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,345 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,538 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,235 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,002 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kentucky metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 26.7% from $80,913 (2019) to $102,538 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,002 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,089 (33.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kentucky 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 Kentucky
Lowest Paying Cities in Kentucky
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Owensboro | $93,835 |
| Murray | $96,902 |
| Ashland | $98,174 |
| Jeffersontown | $98,354 |
| Madisonville | $98,701 |
Best Value Cities for Civil Engineers in Kentucky
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kentucky cities offer the most purchasing power for civil engineers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $112,955 | 89.3 | $126,489 |
| Paducah | $103,605 | 86.084 | $120,353 |
| Independence | $102,784 | 89.3 | $115,100 |
| Florence | $102,664 | 89.3 | $114,965 |
| Covington | $102,230 | 89.3 | $114,479 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kentucky
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $69,775 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $105,235 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $154,031 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kentucky metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Kentucky
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville | $112,955 |
| 2 | Lexington | $105,801 |
| 3 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $105,350 |
| 4 | Paducah | $103,605 |
| 5 | Independence | $102,784 |
| 6 | Florence | $102,664 |
| 7 | Covington | $102,230 |
| 8 | Nicholasville | $102,037 |
| 9 | Richmond | $102,012 |
| 10 | Frankfort | $101,490 |
| 11 | Henderson | $101,320 |
| 12 | Elizabethtown | $101,249 |
| 13 | Hopkinsville | $100,959 |
| 14 | Radcliff | $99,419 |
| 15 | Georgetown | $99,070 |
| 16 | Bowling Green | $98,792 |
| 17 | Madisonville | $98,701 |
| 18 | Jeffersontown | $98,354 |
| 19 | Ashland | $98,174 |
| 20 | Murray | $96,902 |
| 21 | Owensboro | $93,835 |
More Kentucky Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore civil engineer hourly pay in Kentucky cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new civil engineers.
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 Kentucky in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for civil engineers in Kentucky?
How does Kentucky civil engineer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level civil engineer salary in Kentucky?
How many civil engineers are employed in Kentucky?
Which Kentucky 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 Kentucky. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 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