Engineering Fort Collins, CO Pop. 169,810

Civil Engineer Salary in Fort Collins, Colorado

The median civil engineer salary in Fort Collins, CO is $95,336 per year, which is 6.0% above the national median and 1.0% above the Colorado state average.

City Median
$95,336
vs State Avg
+$899
vs National
+$5,396
Cost of Living
106%

Civil Engineer Pay in Fort Collins: What to Expect (2026)

Fort Collins offers a median civil engineer salary of $95,336, which is $899 above the Colorado state average of $94,437. Compared to the national median of $89,940, Fort Collins pays above average for this role.

Fort Collins's cost of living is 106% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for civil engineers in Fort Collins spans from $64,024 at the 10th percentile to $146,916 at the 90th percentile — a $82,892 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $65,720, while senior civil engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $137,800. With a population of 169,810, Fort Collins is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Civil Engineer Salary in Fort Collins by Experience

In Fort Collins, an entry-level civil engineer earns around $65,720, while experienced professionals earn up to $137,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 106% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$65,720
+$3,720 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$95,400
+$5,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$137,800
+$7,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Collins, CO

Percentile Fort Collins
10th Percentile $64,024
25th Percentile $77,592
Median (50th) $95,336
75th Percentile $120,840
90th Percentile $146,916

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Colorado Cities

Boulder, CO
$115,123
Pop. 105,673
Denver, CO
$100,733
Pop. 715,522
Aurora, CO
$94,437
Pop. 386,261
Colorado Springs, CO
$89,940
Pop. 478,961

How to Become a Civil Engineer in Fort Collins

Education

Most civil engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Fort Collins and the surrounding Colorado area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

AutoCADStructural AnalysisProject ManagementGISConstruction ManagementPE License

Job Outlook

Nationally, civil engineer employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Fort Collins may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Civil Engineer Jobs in Fort Collins

Browse open civil engineer positions in Fort Collins, CO:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Engineer Salary in Fort Collins

How much does a Civil Engineer make in Fort Collins, CO? ▼
The median civil engineer salary in Fort Collins, Colorado is $95,336 per year, which is 6.0% above the national median of $89,940. Salaries range from $64,024 (10th percentile) to $146,916 (90th percentile).
How much does a Civil Engineer make per hour in Fort Collins? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $95,336, a civil engineer in Fort Collins earns approximately $46 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Collins compare to the Colorado state average for civil engineer pay? ▼
Fort Collins's median civil engineer salary of $95,336 is 1.0% above the Colorado state average of $94,437. The local cost of living index is 106% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Fort Collins, CO? ▼
Fort Collins has a cost of living index of 106% compared to the national average. This means a civil engineer salary of $95,336 in Fort Collins has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a civil engineer in Fort Collins? ▼
Most civil engineer positions in Fort Collins require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include AutoCAD, Structural Analysis, Project Management, GIS. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.