Engineering Columbia, MO Pop. 126,254

Civil Engineer Salary in Columbia, Missouri

The median civil engineer salary in Columbia, MO is $79,147 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 0.0% above the Missouri state average.

City Median
$79,147
vs State Avg
+$0
vs National
$-10,793
Cost of Living
88%

Civil Engineer Pay in Columbia: What to Expect (2026)

Columbia offers a median civil engineer salary of $79,147, which is $0 above the Missouri state average of $79,147. Compared to the national median of $89,940, Columbia pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Columbia's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $79,147 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $89,940 in an average-cost city. This makes Columbia an attractive option for civil engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for civil engineers in Columbia spans from $53,152 at the 10th percentile to $121,968 at the 90th percentile — a $68,816 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $54,560, while senior civil engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $114,400. With a population of 126,254, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Civil Engineer Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level civil engineer earns around $54,560, while experienced professionals earn up to $114,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$54,560
$-7,440 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$79,200
$-10,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$114,400
$-15,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, MO

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $53,152
25th Percentile $64,416
Median (50th) $79,147
75th Percentile $100,320
90th Percentile $121,968

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Missouri Cities

Kansas City, MO
$82,745
Pop. 508,090
Saint Louis, MO
$80,946
Pop. 301,578
Independence, MO
$76,449
Pop. 123,011
Springfield, MO
$73,751
Pop. 169,176

How to Become a Civil Engineer in Columbia

Education

Most civil engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Columbia and the surrounding Missouri 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 Columbia may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Civil Engineer Jobs in Columbia

Browse open civil engineer positions in Columbia, MO:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Engineer Salary in Columbia

How much does a Civil Engineer make in Columbia, MO? ▼
The median civil engineer salary in Columbia, Missouri is $79,147 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $89,940. Salaries range from $53,152 (10th percentile) to $121,968 (90th percentile).
How much does a Civil Engineer make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $79,147, a civil engineer in Columbia earns approximately $38 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the Missouri state average for civil engineer pay? ▼
Columbia's median civil engineer salary of $79,147 is 0.0% above the Missouri state average of $79,147. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbia, MO? ▼
Columbia has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a civil engineer salary of $79,147 in Columbia has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a civil engineer in Columbia? ▼
Most civil engineer positions in Columbia 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.