Civil Engineer Salary in River Falls, WI: $90,576 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in River Falls, WI earns a median $90,576/year (≈ $43.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in River Falls's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $96,976 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in River Falls, Wisconsin, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $90,576 in 2026, with a notable salary range spanning from $62,080 to $140,393. This reflects both the current labor market dynamics and the influence of significant federal investment through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has bolstered local infrastructure projects and increased demand for engineering professionals. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, adjusted for regional price differences, highlighting the competitive environment for civil engineering talent in River Falls. With a growing number of projects, the area offers promising opportunities, shaped by the need for skilled engineers in various sectors such as municipal infrastructure and private development.
About the River Falls Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,080 | $29.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,638 | $35.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,576 | $43.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $114,985 | $55.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $140,393 | $67.50 |
Median Salary Position
12.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in River Falls
In River Falls, WI, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,313 (2026 est.). At $90,576, the local median is 12.48% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in River Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How River Falls Civil Engineer Pay Compares
River Falls median: $90,576/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | River Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $96,153 | -5.80% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -12.48% less |
Civil Engineers in River Falls, WI earn a median of $90,576 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.48% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 5.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $96,153.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
River Falls has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
River Falls, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $90,576 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,976 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,195
2025 BLS Actual
$88,255
2026 Current Est.
$90,576
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in River Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,195 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,516 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,061 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,715 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,923 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,969 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,255 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,576 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,958 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the River Falls metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $76,195 (2019) to $88,255 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,958 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,763 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the River Falls 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) | $62,080 – $74,638 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,638 – $90,576 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,576 – $114,985 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $114,985 – $140,393 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in River Falls
While the local job market employs only five civil engineers, their earnings can still significantly influence the community, especially given the cost-of-living index of 93.4, which is below the national average. This translates to enhanced purchasing power for those in the profession. Among potential employers, prominent consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs typically offer the most competitive compensation when compared to government positions and smaller local firms. The variability in civil engineer pay in River Falls stems from factors such as the attainment of a PE license, the specialization in areas like structural or transportation engineering, and the tier of the firm. For those entering the market, pursuing advanced credentials and gaining experience with larger projects may be effective strategies to maximize salary potential in this evolving landscape.
More salary data for River Falls, WI:
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 $88,255 for civil engineersin the River Falls 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 River Falls 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