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Average Civil Engineers Salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Civil Engineers in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metropolitan area earn an impressive average annual salary of $111,580. This figure notably surpasses the national average of $106,590, indicating a localized premium for these essential professionals. The robust demand and specialized industry needs within the region likely contribute to this elevated compensation.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $111,580 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 18.0% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $157,700.
  • Outlook: The Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro area demonstrates a healthy job market for Civil Engineers, with a local workforce of 3,520 professionals. The Location Quotient of 1.26 suggests a concentration of these roles that is 26% higher than the national average, signaling strong and potentially growing demand for their expertise within the region.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$111,580

The average Civil Engineers in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA earns+4.7%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$53.6

Weekly

$2,146

Monthly

$9,298

Civil Engineers Salary Distribution in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Salary progression for Civil Engineers in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro is significantly influenced by experience. Entry-level positions typically command salaries at the lower end of the spectrum, while seasoned professionals with extensive project management and design expertise can expect to earn substantially more, often reaching into the top percentiles. These percentile gaps clearly signify the career advancement and earning potential available.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$75,450$36.3
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$83,685$40.2
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$104,360$50.2
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$139,475$67.1
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$157,700$75.8

Detailed Civil Engineers Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$111,580

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$111,580

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average Civil Engineer salary of $111,580 in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro aligns perfectly with the national average cost of living index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of a Civil Engineer's salary in this metro area is equivalent to the national average, offering stable financial footing without the immediate pressure of higher or lower living expenses.

Job Market Context

3,520

Total Jobs

2.903

Per 1K Jobs

1.26

Location Quotient

Above Average

With a location quotient of 1.26, Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Civil Engineers roles compared to the national norm.

With a Location Quotient of 1.26, the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro area exhibits a higher concentration of Civil Engineers compared to the national average. This suggests a competitive yet robust job market where demand is slightly outpacing the general national distribution, potentially leading to more opportunities and favorable negotiation leverage for skilled engineers.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Civil Engineers

Comparing salaries near Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Hiring Civil Engineerss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Civil Engineers make in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?

The median annual salary for a Civil Engineers in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is $111,580. This typically ranges from $75,450 for entry-level positions to $157,700 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is 4.7% higher than the national median of $106,590.

Is Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA a lucrative place for Civil Engineers?

Yes.Civil Engineers in this region earn above the national average salary, and the cost of living is on par with the national average, indicating strong earning potential.

Is Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA a good place to live for Civil Engineers?

The Cost of Living Index in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?

Some top paying nearby cities include Salem, OR ($113,490) and Longview-Kelso, WA.

How does the Civil Engineer salary in Portland compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Civil Engineers in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is $111,580, which is higher than the national average of $106,590.

What is the concentration of Civil Engineers in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?

The Location Quotient for Civil Engineers in this area is 1.26, meaning the concentration of these jobs is 26% higher than the national average.

How does the cost of living affect the Civil Engineer salary in Portland?

The cost of living in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro is exactly at the national average (100), meaning the $111,580 salary offers purchasing power equivalent to the national average.

What is the total number of Civil Engineers in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro area?

There are approximately 3,520 Civil Engineers employed within the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA metropolitan area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 3,520 employees in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA area with a job density of 2.903 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.