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Average Civil Engineers Salary in Kennewick-Richland, WA

Civil Engineers in Kennewick-Richland, WA, command an impressive average annual salary of $122,270, significantly outpacing the national average of $106,590. This elevated compensation is likely driven by a combination of specialized local demand and the specific economic landscape of the Tri-Cities area, reflecting the value placed on engineering expertise in this region.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $122,270 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 31.1% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $176,950.
  • Outlook: The Kennewick-Richland area presents a robust job market for Civil Engineers, evidenced by a total local workforce of 500 professionals. The Location Quotient of 1.69 indicates a concentration of these roles significantly above the national average, suggesting strong and sustained demand for civil engineering talent within this specific metropolitan area.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$122,270

The average Civil Engineers in Kennewick-Richland, WA earns+14.7%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$58.8

Weekly

$2,351

Monthly

$10,189

Civil Engineers Salary Distribution in Kennewick-Richland, WA

Salary progression for Civil Engineers in Kennewick-Richland, WA, typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower percentiles, while seasoned professionals with extensive project management and design expertise can command salaries in the upper percentiles. The widening gap between entry-level and senior roles signifies clear career advancement opportunities and increased earning potential.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$77,670$37.3
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$91,703$44.1
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$121,170$58.3
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$152,838$73.5
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$176,950$85.1

Detailed Civil Engineers Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$122,270

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$122,270

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $122,270 in Kennewick-Richland, WA, is particularly attractive given the local Cost of Living Index is exactly at the national average of 100. This means that the purchasing power of a Civil Engineer's salary in this area is equivalent to the national average, allowing for a comfortable standard of living without the added financial strain of a higher cost of living.

Job Market Context

500

Total Jobs

3.899

Per 1K Jobs

1.69

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Kennewick-Richland, WA has 1.7x the national concentration of Civil Engineers jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.

With a Location Quotient of 1.69, Kennewick-Richland, WA, demonstrates a notably higher concentration of Civil Engineers compared to the national average. This suggests a specialized and potentially competitive market where employers actively seek out this expertise, indicating a strong demand that outstrips the general national distribution of the profession.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Civil Engineers

CitySalaryDist.
Walla Walla, WA Civil Engineers Salary$117,280 4%41 mi
Yakima, WA Civil Engineers Salary$100,470 18%71 mi

Comparing salaries near Kennewick-Richland, WA

Hiring Civil Engineerss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Civil Engineers make in Kennewick-Richland, WA?

The median annual salary for a Civil Engineers in Kennewick-Richland, WA is $122,270. This typically ranges from $77,670 for entry-level positions to $176,950 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Kennewick-Richland, WA is 14.7% higher than the national median of $106,590.

Is Kennewick-Richland, WA a lucrative place for Civil Engineers?

Yes, Kennewick-Richland, WA is a lucrative place for Civil Engineers.Civil Engineers in this area earn significantly above the national average salary, and the local cost of living is on par with the national average, enhancing purchasing power.

Is Kennewick-Richland, WA a good place to live for Civil Engineers?

The Cost of Living Index in Kennewick-Richland, WA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Kennewick-Richland, WA?

Some top paying nearby cities include Walla Walla, WA ($117,280) and Yakima, WA.

How does the Kennewick-Richland salary compare to the national average?

Civil Engineers in Kennewick-Richland, WA, earn an average of $122,270 annually, which is approximately $15,680 higher than the national average of $106,590.

What is the concentration of Civil Engineers in Kennewick-Richland, WA?

The Location Quotient for Civil Engineers in Kennewick-Richland, WA is 1.69, indicating that the area has 69% more Civil Engineers per worker than the national average.

Does the cost of living affect the value of a Civil Engineer's salary in Kennewick-Richland, WA?

No, the cost of living in Kennewick-Richland, WA, is exactly at the national average (100), meaning the higher salary translates directly to equivalent purchasing power compared to the rest of the country.

How many Civil Engineers are employed in Kennewick-Richland, WA?

There are approximately 500 Civil Engineers employed within the Kennewick-Richland, WA, workforce.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 500 employees in the Kennewick-Richland, WA area with a job density of 3.899 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.