Civil Engineer Salary in Waukesha, WI: $99,964 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Waukesha, WI earns a median $99,964/year (≈ $48.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Waukesha's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $107,028 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% above the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in Waukesha, Wisconsin, can expect a median annual salary of $99,964 in 2026, reflecting the competitive nature of the field influenced by the local market and cost of living. The salary range spans from $66,028 at the 10th percentile to $154,944 at the 90th percentile. This compensation structure highlights the varying roles within the industry, especially as engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs often offer higher pay compared to government positions within the state Department of Transportation (DOT) or local public works departments. These figures are local estimates projected based on 2025 BLS data and account for regional cost adjustments, underscoring the potential for significant earnings based on experience and specialization in civil engineering functions.
About the Waukesha Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,028 | $31.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,273 | $37.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,964 | $48.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $126,111 | $60.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $154,944 | $74.49 |
Median Salary Position
3.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waukesha
In Waukesha, WI, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $88,916 (2026 est.). At $99,964, the local median is 3.41% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waukesha: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waukesha Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Waukesha median: $99,964/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waukesha Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $96,119 | +4.00% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -3.41% less |
Civil Engineers in Waukesha, WI earn a median of $99,964 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.41% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 4.00% above the Wisconsin state average of $96,119.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waukesha 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.
Waukesha, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $99,964 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $107,028 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,092
2025 BLS Actual
$97,402
2026 Current Est.
$99,964
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Waukesha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,092 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,048 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,874 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,621 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,141 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,402 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,964 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,593 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waukesha metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $84,092 (2019) to $97,402 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,593 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,501 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukesha 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) | $66,028 – $77,273 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,273 – $99,964 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,964 – $126,111 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $126,111 – $154,944 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Waukesha
The Waukesha job market currently employs 14 civil engineers, emphasizing a niche but stable demand for engineering professionals. The city's cost-of-living index of 93.4 indicates that, while salaries may fall slightly below the national median, the purchasing power for residents remains reasonable. Among local employers, engineering consulting firms tend to offer the most competitive pay, particularly in specialty areas like structural and geotechnical engineering. Factors driving the disparity between entry-level and high-salary positions include the importance of obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license, specialization in high-demand fields, and the tier of the hiring firm. Civil engineers advancing their careers should consider pursuing project management roles and building a robust professional network to enhance pay opportunities within Waukesha's evolving infrastructure landscape, especially in the context of ongoing infrastructure investments fueled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for Waukesha, 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 $97,402 for civil engineersin the Waukesha 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 Waukesha 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