Civil Engineer Salary in Scranton, PA: $98,248 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Scranton, PA earns a median $98,248/year (≈ $47.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Scranton's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $105,015 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Scranton, Pennsylvania, the projected median annual salary for civil engineers in 2026 is $98,248, which reflects a competitive position compared to the national median of $103,492. The salary ranges from $70,784 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $133,850 at the upper end (90th percentile), highlighting significant variability in compensation based on factors such as experience, specialization, and employer type. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, emphasizing the distinct salary divide between various sectors. Engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs tend to offer higher wages compared to government positions (e.g., state DOTs) and construction firms, which can influence career trajectories in the local job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,784 | $34.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,230 | $38.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,248 | $47.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,995 | $57.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,850 | $64.35 |
Median Salary Position
5.07% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Scranton
In Scranton, PA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,066 (2026 est.). At $98,248, the local median is 5.07% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Scranton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Scranton Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Scranton median: $98,248/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Scranton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $97,565 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -5.07% less |
Civil Engineers in Scranton, PA earn a median of $98,248 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.07% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.70% above the Pennsylvania state average of $97,565.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Scranton has a cost of living 6.44% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Scranton, PA has a cost-of-living index of 93.556 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $98,248 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,015 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.89% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,180
2025 BLS Actual
$95,730
2026 Current Est.
$98,248
2019–2027 Growth
+32.4%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Scranton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,360 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,980 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,248 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,832 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Scranton metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 25.7% from $76,180 (2019) to $95,730 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,832 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,652 (32.36%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Scranton 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) | $70,784 – $79,230 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,230 – $98,248 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,248 – $119,995 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,995 – $133,850 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Scranton
Currently, Scranton employs around 450 civil engineers, a number indicative of a stable job market. With a cost-of-living index sitting at 93.556, this suggests that civil engineer pay in Scranton provides relatively greater purchasing power than in many other regions. Optimal employers in terms of salary potential include top-tier consulting firms such as Jacobs and WSP, followed by major construction companies like Bechtel. The pay spectrum is influenced by several factors, including the achievement of a PE license, which qualifies engineers for higher-level positions, and the specialization in fields such as structural or geotechnical engineering that command premiums. Career advancement strategies for civil engineers in Scranton should focus on obtaining advanced credentials, fostering relationships with local companies, and keeping abreast of infrastructure initiatives tied to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, all of which can significantly enhance earning potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Scranton, PA:
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 $95,730 for civil engineersin the Scranton 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