Engineering Lincoln, NE Pop. 291,082

Civil Engineer Salary in Lincoln, Nebraska

The median civil engineer salary in Lincoln, NE is $80,946 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 0.0% above the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$80,946
vs State Avg
+$0
vs National
$-8,994
Cost of Living
90%

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

Lincoln offers a median civil engineer salary of $80,946, which is $0 above the Nebraska state average of $80,946. Compared to the national median of $89,940, Lincoln pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Lincoln's cost of living is 90% 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 Lincoln spans from $54,360 at the 10th percentile to $124,740 at the 90th percentile — a $70,380 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $55,800, while senior civil engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $117,000. With a population of 291,082, Lincoln is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Civil Engineer Salary in Lincoln by Experience

In Lincoln, an entry-level civil engineer earns around $55,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $117,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$55,800
$-6,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$81,000
$-9,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$117,000
$-13,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Lincoln, NE

Percentile Lincoln
10th Percentile $54,360
25th Percentile $65,880
Median (50th) $80,946
75th Percentile $102,600
90th Percentile $124,740

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$83,644
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$82,745
Pop. 64,176
Kearney, NE
$77,348
Pop. 33,464
Grand Island, NE
$75,550
Pop. 53,131

How to Become a Civil Engineer in Lincoln

Education

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

Find Civil Engineer Jobs in Lincoln

Browse open civil engineer positions in Lincoln, NE:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Engineer Salary in Lincoln

How much does a Civil Engineer make in Lincoln, NE? ▼
The median civil engineer salary in Lincoln, Nebraska is $80,946 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $89,940. Salaries range from $54,360 (10th percentile) to $124,740 (90th percentile).
How much does a Civil Engineer make per hour in Lincoln? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $80,946, a civil engineer in Lincoln earns approximately $39 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lincoln compare to the Nebraska state average for civil engineer pay? ▼
Lincoln's median civil engineer salary of $80,946 is 0.0% above the Nebraska state average of $80,946. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Lincoln, NE? ▼
Lincoln has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a civil engineer salary of $80,946 in Lincoln has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a civil engineer in Lincoln? ▼
Most civil engineer positions in Lincoln 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.