Civil Engineer Salary in Baltimore, MD: $103,143 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Baltimore, MD earns a median $103,143/year (≈ $49.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Baltimore's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 104.5), that paycheck buys what $98,714 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.8% below the Maryland state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Baltimore, the anticipated compensation for civil engineers in 2026 stands at a median annual salary of $103,143, closely aligned with the national average of $103,492. This competitive salary reflects a broad range, with entry-level positions starting at $77,989 and seasoned professionals earning up to $148,485. Data for these figures is derived from the 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, indicating a vital market for civil engineering in Baltimore. With an attractive compensation framework combined with the city's ongoing infrastructure projects, the demand for skilled civil engineers remains robust.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,989 | $37.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,275 | $41.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,143 | $49.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $129,427 | $62.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $148,485 | $71.39 |
Median Salary Position
0.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Baltimore
In Baltimore, MD, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,496 (2026 est.). At $103,143, the local median is 0.34% below the national median of $103,492.
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At 40 hours/week in Baltimore: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Baltimore Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Baltimore median: $103,143/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Baltimore Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $113,096 | -8.80% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -0.34% less |
Civil Engineers in Baltimore, MD earn a median of $103,143 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.34% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 8.80% below the Maryland state average of $113,096.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Baltimore has a cost of living 4.49% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Baltimore, MD has a cost-of-living index of 104.487 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $103,143 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $98,714 — a 4.29% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,360
2025 BLS Actual
$100,500
2026 Current Est.
$103,143
2019–2027 Growth
+35.1%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Baltimore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,580 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,143 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,856 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Baltimore metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 28.3% from $78,360 (2019) to $100,500 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,856 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,496 (35.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baltimore 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) | $77,989 – $85,275 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,275 – $103,143 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,143 – $129,427 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $129,427 – $148,485 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Baltimore
The civil engineer job market in Baltimore is supported by approximately 2,540 professionals employed in various sectors, including prominent engineering consulting firms and construction companies. While the cost of living index sits slightly above the national average at 104.487, it suggests that salaries should be considered in light of local purchasing power. Top salaries are often found in established firms like AECOM and Jacobs, where the value of a PE license becomes a key factor in elevating a candidate's earning potential. Diversity in specialization—such as structural, geotechnical, or transportation disciplines—also influences salary differences. As infrastructure spending grows due to initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, engineers are likely to find more lucrative opportunities. To enhance their civil engineer pay in Baltimore, candidates should focus on obtaining their PE licensure, pursuing specialized roles, and leveraging relationships within the local market to maximize their career growth.
More salary data for Baltimore, MD:
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 $100,500 for civil engineersin the Baltimore 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