Engineering Winston-Salem, NC Pop. 249,545

Civil Engineer Salary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

The median civil engineer salary in Winston-Salem, NC is $77,348 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 6.5% below the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$77,348
vs State Avg
$-5,397
vs National
$-12,592
Cost of Living
86%

Civil Engineer Pay in Winston-Salem: What to Expect (2026)

Winston-Salem offers a median civil engineer salary of $77,348, which is $5,397 below the North Carolina state average of $82,745. Compared to the national median of $89,940, Winston-Salem pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Winston-Salem's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $77,348 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $89,940 in an average-cost city. This makes Winston-Salem an attractive option for civil engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for civil engineers in Winston-Salem spans from $51,944 at the 10th percentile to $119,196 at the 90th percentile — a $67,252 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $53,320, while senior civil engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $111,800. With a population of 249,545, Winston-Salem is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Civil Engineer Salary in Winston-Salem by Experience

In Winston-Salem, an entry-level civil engineer earns around $53,320, while experienced professionals earn up to $111,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$53,320
$-8,680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$77,400
$-12,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$111,800
$-18,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Winston-Salem, NC

Percentile Winston-Salem
10th Percentile $51,944
25th Percentile $62,952
Median (50th) $77,348
75th Percentile $98,040
90th Percentile $119,196

Civil Engineer Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$88,141
Pop. 874,579
Raleigh, NC
$88,141
Pop. 467,665
Durham, NC
$85,443
Pop. 283,506
Greensboro, NC
$79,147
Pop. 299,035

How to Become a Civil Engineer in Winston-Salem

Education

Most civil engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Winston-Salem and the surrounding North Carolina 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 Winston-Salem may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Civil Engineer Jobs in Winston-Salem

Browse open civil engineer positions in Winston-Salem, NC:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Engineer Salary in Winston-Salem

How much does a Civil Engineer make in Winston-Salem, NC? ▼
The median civil engineer salary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina is $77,348 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $89,940. Salaries range from $51,944 (10th percentile) to $119,196 (90th percentile).
How much does a Civil Engineer make per hour in Winston-Salem? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $77,348, a civil engineer in Winston-Salem earns approximately $37 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Winston-Salem compare to the North Carolina state average for civil engineer pay? ▼
Winston-Salem's median civil engineer salary of $77,348 is 6.5% below the North Carolina state average of $82,745. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Winston-Salem, NC? ▼
Winston-Salem has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a civil engineer salary of $77,348 in Winston-Salem has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a civil engineer in Winston-Salem? ▼
Most civil engineer positions in Winston-Salem 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.