Civil Engineer Salary in Reston, VA: $94,543 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Reston, VA earns a median $94,543/year (≈ $45.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Reston's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $91,611 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Reston, Virginia, civil engineers earn a median annual salary of $94,543 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $103,492. The local salary range extends from $66,260 at the 10th percentile to $146,541 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the diversity in compensation based on experience and specialization. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost differences, highlight a competitive job market influenced by the concentration of engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, as well as government positions in state Departments of Transportation and local public works. The distinct pay scales are reflective of the varied roles within civil engineering; consulting firms tend to offer higher compensation for specialized positions, while government jobs may provide stability and benefits, albeit at potentially lower salaries.
About the Reston Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,260 | $31.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,941 | $36.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,543 | $45.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,015 | $58.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $146,541 | $70.46 |
Median Salary Position
8.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Reston
In Reston, VA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $80,281 (2026 est.). At $94,543, the local median is 8.65% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Reston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Reston Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Reston median: $94,543/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Reston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $96,669 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -8.65% less |
Civil Engineers in Reston, VA earn a median of $94,543 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.65% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 2.20% below the Virginia state average of $96,669.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Reston has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Reston, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $94,543 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $91,611 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,532
2025 BLS Actual
$92,120
2026 Current Est.
$94,543
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Reston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,532 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,911 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,436 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,163 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,598 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,995 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,543 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,029 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Reston metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $79,532 (2019) to $92,120 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,029 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,497 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Reston 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) | $66,260 – $75,941 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,941 – $94,543 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,543 – $121,015 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,015 – $146,541 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Reston
Currently, there are 16 civil engineers employed in Reston, demonstrating a tightly-knit job market that influences pay dynamics. With a cost-of-living index of 103.2, living expenses in Reston are slightly elevated compared to the national average, which can affect take-home earnings. Consulting firms such as AECOM and Jacobs are among the highest payers, particularly for roles requiring a Professional Engineer (PE) license or expertise in areas like structural or geotechnical engineering. The disparity between salaries at the lower and higher ends results from factors such as licensing requirements, firm size, project complexity, and the ongoing impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has spurred demand in the market. Those seeking to maximize their civil engineer pay in Reston should consider focusing on gaining specialized skills, pursuing licensure, and targeting the top-tier consulting firms to improve their standing in this competitive environment.
More salary data for Reston, VA:
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 $92,120 for civil engineersin the Reston 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
Salary data for Reston is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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