What the numbers say
Kentucky's median Civil Engineer wage was $100,200 in 2024, about 4% above the US median of $96,198. The gap is modest, but it runs in Kentucky's favor, which is not the case for most professional occupations in the state.
The spread between low and high earners is wide. The 10th percentile came in at $62,630, while the 90th percentile reached $134,420. Top earners made roughly twice what entry-level peers did. That kind of range usually reflects real differences in seniority and project type, not just employer variation.
Cost of living shifts the picture further. Kentucky's overall price index sits at 90.6, about 10% below the national baseline. In purchasing terms, the $100,200 median stretches closer to $110,600 in national-dollar terms. That makes Kentucky's civil engineering wages look considerably stronger once you account for what the money actually buys. The gap over the national median widens from 4% on paper to something closer to 15% in practice.
BLS projects 5% growth for Civil Engineers nationally between 2024 and 2034, which falls into the faster-than-average category. Kentucky's employment base for the occupation was 3,040 in 2024, a size that suggests the state has established demand rather than a small, variable sample.
Salary distribution
Where Kentucky civil engineers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $77,150 and $117,190, with a median of $100,200.
Civil Engineers in Kentucky: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 16 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $78,874. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 9 | $70,000 |
| Level II — qualified | 3 | $97,760 |
| Level III — experienced | 3 | $101,250 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 1 | $114,421 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Civil Engineers in Kentucky. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donan Solutions, LLC | Forensic Engineer I | 2 | $107,211 |
| MOSS & ASSOCIATES, LLC | Project Engineer, Solar | 2 | $70,000 |
| WSP USA Inc. | Geotechnical Engineer | 2 | $74,876 |
| PRIME AE Group, Inc. | Transportation Engineer | 2 | $66,897 |
| Moss & Associates, LLC | Project Engineer, Solar | 1 | $70,000 |
| Gray Construction, Inc. | Assistant Project Manager | 1 | $103,500 |
| Schnabel Management Services, Inc. | Senior Staff Engineer | 1 | $79,747 |
| Kyyba, Inc. | Civil/Structural Field Engineer | 1 | $97,760 |
| J.H. Findorff & Son Inc. | Assistant Project Manager | 1 | $78,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY | Engineer Associate III./KTC | 1 | $101,250 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Forensic Engineer I at Donan Solutions, LLC$114,421LouisvilleWage Level IVDecided Jun 26, 2025I-200-25169-107296
- Project Engineer, Solar at MOSS & ASSOCIATES, LLC$70,000RobardsWage Level IDecided Jun 11, 2025I-200-25155-052686
- Project Engineer, Solar at Moss & Associates, LLC$70,000RobardsWage Level IDecided Jun 10, 2025I-200-25154-046838
- Assistant Project Manager at Gray Construction, Inc.$103,500LexingtonWage Level IIDecided Jun 2, 2025I-200-25143-014298
- Senior Staff Engineer at Schnabel Management Services, Inc.$79,747LexingtonWage Level IIDecided May 21, 2025I-200-25134-975795
- Civil/Structural Field Engineer at Kyyba, Inc.$97,760GeorgetownWage Level IIDecided May 20, 2025I-200-25133-970587
- Geotechnical Engineer at WSP USA Inc.$76,939LouisvilleWage Level IDecided May 16, 2025I-200-25129-960272
- Associate Geotechnical Engineer at WSP USA Inc.$72,813LouisvilleWage Level IDecided Apr 25, 2025I-200-25108-880373
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Civil Engineers pay by experience level in Kentucky
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Civil Engineers in Kentucky, by industry
Median offered wage across 11 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Professional services leads with a median of $78,343.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional services | Donan Solutions, LLC | 8 | $78,343 |
| Technology and software | Kyyba, Inc. | 1 | $97,760 |
| Education | UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY | 1 | $101,250 |
| Government and public sector | Kentucky Transportation Cabinet | 1 | $178,960,205 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Kentucky over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.7 / 5
Design
Knowledge
- 4.7 / 5
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Building and Construction
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Direct engineering activities, ensuring compliance with environmental, safety, or other governmental regulations.
- 02
Test soils or materials to determine the adequacy and strength of foundations, concrete, asphalt, or steel.
- 03
Inspect project sites to monitor progress and ensure conformance to design specifications and safety or sanitation standards.
- 04
Manage and direct the construction, operations, or maintenance activities at project site.
- 05
Compute load and grade requirements, water flow rates, or material stress factors to determine design specifications.
- 06
Plan and design transportation or hydraulic systems or structures, using computer-assisted design or drawing tools.
- 07
Provide technical advice to industrial or managerial personnel regarding design, construction, program modifications, or structural repairs.
- 08
Analyze survey reports, maps, drawings, blueprints, aerial photography, or other topographical or geologic data.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+5.0%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for civil engineers in major Kentucky metropolitan areas.
- Louisville$103,410
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Civil Engineers in Kentucky?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Civil Engineers in Kentucky is $100,200.
- How does Kentucky compare to the national median for Civil Engineers?
- The Kentucky median is +4.2% versus the BLS national figure of $96,198.
- What is the salary range for Civil Engineers in Kentucky?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $62,630 and the 90th-percentile at $134,420, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Civil Engineers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 5.0% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Civil Engineers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.