Civil Engineer Salary in York, PA: $97,540 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in York, PA earns a median $97,540/year (≈ $46.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in York's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $101,604 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Civil engineers in York, Pennsylvania, can expect a median annual salary of $97,540 in 2026, which reflects a notable context within the market when compared to the national median of $103,492. The salary range for civil engineering positions varies significantly, falling between $69,624 at the 10th percentile and reaching up to $135,307 at the 90th percentile. This information derives from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicating a local job market that is characterized by diverse opportunities within consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, as well as government agencies and construction firms. The competitive landscape suggests that while growth is stable, the distinct pathways of consulting versus government and construction employment significantly influence salary outcomes.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,624 | $33.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,246 | $38.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,540 | $46.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,647 | $54.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $135,307 | $65.06 |
Median Salary Position
5.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in York
In York, PA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,683 (2026 est.). At $97,540, the local median is 5.75% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in York: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How York Civil Engineer Pay Compares
York median: $97,540/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | York Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $103,492 | -5.75% less |
Civil Engineers in York, PA earn a median of $97,540 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.75% lower than the national median of $103,492.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
York has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
York, PA has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $97,540 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,604 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,000
2025 BLS Actual
$95,040
2026 Current Est.
$97,540
2019–2027 Growth
+17.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in York (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,500 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,160 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,040 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,540 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,105 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the York metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 11.8% from $85,000 (2019) to $95,040 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,105 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,105 (17.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the York 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) | $69,624 – $80,246 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,246 – $97,540 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,540 – $112,647 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,647 – $135,307 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in York
Within York, approximately 400 civil engineers are employed, vying for competitive roles amidst a cost of living index of 96, which can enhance take-home purchasing power compared to many regions. Pay levels among local employers show considerable variation; leading engineering consulting firms tend to offer the highest compensation, particularly for those with a PE license or specialist knowledge in fields like structural or geotechnical engineering. The gap in earnings often stems from credentials, firm scale, and sector focus, with project managers earning more than entry-level engineers. To maximize salary potential, professionals should aim to acquire licensure and specialize in high-demand areas while exploring opportunities in the expanding market prompted by infrastructure investments under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Networking within local engineering communities and considering roles with top-tier firms can further enhance career prospects in the region.
More salary data for York, 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 $95,040 for civil engineersin the York 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