Civil Engineer Salary in State College, PA: $98,638 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in State College, PA earns a median $98,638/year (≈ $47.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in State College's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.8), that paycheck buys what $101,939 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in State College, Pennsylvania can expect a median annual salary of $98,638, reflecting a steady demand for their skills, particularly as they progress in their careers from Engineer-in-Training (EIT) to Professional Engineer (PE) status. The full salary range for civil engineers within the area extends from $65,704 to $136,775, showcasing the variability in compensation based on experience, specialization, and licensure. These figures are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and indicate a slightly lower earning potential compared to the national median of $103,492. The job market in State College is positioned favorably for civil engineers, especially given the ongoing infrastructure investments spurred by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which further emphasize the importance of this sector in the local economy and beyond.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,704 | $31.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,578 | $37.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,638 | $47.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $120,970 | $58.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $136,775 | $65.76 |
Median Salary Position
4.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in State College
In State College, PA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,071 (2026 est.). At $98,638, the local median is 4.69% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in State College: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How State College Civil Engineer Pay Compares
State College median: $98,638/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | State College Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $97,564 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -4.69% less |
Civil Engineers in State College, PA earn a median of $98,638 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.69% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.10% above the Pennsylvania state average of $97,564.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
State College has a cost of living 3.24% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
State College, PA has a cost-of-living index of 96.762 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $98,638 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,939 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.35% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,860
2025 BLS Actual
$96,110
2026 Current Est.
$98,638
2019–2027 Growth
+23.7%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in State College (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,860 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,210 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,000 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,638 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,232 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the State College metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 17.4% from $81,860 (2019) to $96,110 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,232 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,372 (23.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the State College 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) | $65,704 – $77,578 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,578 – $98,638 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,638 – $120,970 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $120,970 – $136,775 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in State College
With around 160 civil engineers currently employed in the State College area, the local job market appears robust despite the slightly lower cost of living index at 96.762. This index suggests that take-home pay can stretch further compared to higher-cost regions, making the area an attractive option for engineering professionals. Notably, employers such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP tend to offer competitive salaries, particularly for those with a PE license or specialized expertise in areas like structural engineering. The disparities in civil engineer pay in State College are driven by factors such as licensing levels, firm reputation, and project complexity. For professionals aiming to maximize their earnings, focusing on obtaining a PE license and considering opportunities in larger engineering consulting firms or government contracts can provide a solid pathway to higher compensation, aligning with the growing demand for infrastructure expertise as state and federal projects expand over the coming years.
More salary data for State College, 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 $96,110 for civil engineersin the State College 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