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2026 Salary Data — Albuquerque, NM
Updated April 28, 2026

Civil Engineer Salary in Albuquerque: $86K Median

Civil Engineers in Albuquerque, NM earn between $59K and $130K per year.

That's -10% below the US national median of $95,890 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Civil Engineer salary in Albuquerque, NM is $86,301 per year — -10% below the US national median of $95,890. Salaries range from $58,500 (entry, 25th percentile) to $130,149 (90th percentile). Civil Engineers in Albuquerque earned approximately $15,141 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$86,301
+470.0% YoY · $7,192/mo
Entry
$58,500
0–2 years
Experienced
$112,500
5+ years
Top 10%
$130,149
Senior/lead
Civil Engineer Salary — Albuquerque vs Nearby
Albuquerque
$86K
Jacksonville
$88K
-2% vs Albuquerque
Columbus
$93K
-7% vs Albuquerque
Tucson
$86K
+0% vs Albuquerque

Free ATS scan · Albuquerque employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Civil Engineers in Albuquerque

Civil engineers design, build, and maintain infrastructure projects: roads, bridges, buildings, water systems, and more.

Core Responsibilities

  • Design infrastructure
  • Project management
  • Site inspection
  • Construction documents
  • Code compliance

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree (ABET); PE for senior roles

In-demand certifications

PE (Professional Engineer)LEEDPMPOSHA 30

Albuquerque Job Market

Defense research hub with affordable cost of living.

Population
562K
Cost of Living
94
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4%
Median Home
$320K

Top Industries in Albuquerque

GovernmentDefense (Sandia)HealthcareTechTourism

Top Employers Hiring Civil Engineers

Major employers active in Albuquerque or hiring remotely from this metro.

AECOM
Bechtel
Jacobs
Kiewit
Skanska
state DOTs
municipal governments

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Civil Engineer listings.

BIM (Revit)Sustainability/LEEDClimate-resilient designSmart citiesDrone surveying

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

AutoCADCivil 3Dproject managementstructural analysisPE licenseLEEDRevitsite planning
Career Outlook
+6% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Civil engineering growing 6% with $1.2T US infrastructure investment driving demand through 2034.

Civil Engineer Salary Breakdown — Albuquerque

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$58,500$86,301$130,149
Monthly$4,875$7,192$10,846
Weekly$1,125$1,660$2,503
Hourly$28$41$63

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($95,890) adjusted for Albuquerque's cost-of-living multiplier (0.90×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Civil Engineer Take-Home Pay in Albuquerque

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$65,127.209
Per month$5,427
Biweekly paycheck$2,505
Effective tax rate24.5%

Tax Breakdown on $86,301

Gross salary$86,301
Federal income tax−$10,688.22
New Mexico state tax−$3,883.545
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$6,602.027
Take-home (net)$65,127.209

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Civil Engineer Salary by Experience — Albuquerque

Career-stage progression for Civil Engineers in Albuquerque.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$53,820
2–3 yr$58,500
4–6 yr$85,500
7–10 yr$112,500
11–15 yr$132,750
15+ yr$121,325

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Albuquerque's 0.90× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$15,141
2026 median:$86,301
Change:+$71,160

Engineering sector growth driven by demand for BIM (Revit) and Sustainability/LEED.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$91,810
Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.

How to Negotiate Your Civil Engineer Salary in Albuquerque

Walk-away anchor: $77,054 (offers below this are below market for Albuquerque).

Leverage Points

  • PE license carries a clear pay premium (often 10-15%) - cite it explicitly
  • Project-specific experience: EV powertrain, semiconductor fab, infrastructure megaprojects
  • Per-diem, travel pay, and relocation are negotiable separately from base
  • Software-adjacent skills (Python, MATLAB, simulation, MLOps) raise the ceiling

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

PE license exam fees, study materials, review coursesRelocation package and temporary housingProject-completion or milestone bonusesPer-diem for site travel and field workTuition reimbursement for MS/PhD

What To Say

"With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus."

Anchor on $113K–$130K for experienced roles, citing Albuquerque market data and your specific BIM (Revit)/Sustainability/LEED expertise.

Civil Engineer Salary FAQ — Albuquerque

What is the average Civil Engineer salary in Albuquerque, NM?
The average Civil Engineer salary in Albuquerque is $86,301 per year as of April 2026 — $7,192/month, $1,660/week, or about $41/hour. Salaries range from $58,500 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $130,149 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Albuquerque's cost-of-living multiplier (0.90×).
Is $86,301 a good Civil Engineer salary in Albuquerque?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Albuquerque's cost-of-living index is 94 (vs 100 nationally), giving $86,301 a real purchasing power of approximately $91,810 in national terms. Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.
Can you live on $86,301 in Albuquerque?
Median local pay typically supports a single-earner family of four with a starter home, modest college savings, and standard healthcare costs covered. Stay under 25% of pre-tax income on rent. In this market, that is realistic on most professional salaries and leaves room for retirement contributions. For Albuquerque specifically (median home price $320,000), a $86,301 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $86,301 enough for a single person in Albuquerque?
A single adult in Albuquerque typically needs ~$42,300 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $86,301 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $86,301 enough for a couple in Albuquerque?
A couple (one earner) in Albuquerque typically needs ~$67,680 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $86,301 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $86,301 each ($172,602 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $86,301 enough for a family of 4 in Albuquerque?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Albuquerque typically needs ~$103,400 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $86,301 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Albuquerque. Childcare costs in Albuquerque typically run $14K-$26K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Civil Engineer in Albuquerque?
On a $86,301 Civil Engineer salary in Albuquerque, NM, you take home approximately $65,127.209 per year ($5,427/month, $2,505 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $10,688.22, state $3,883.545, FICA $6,602.027. Effective tax rate: 24.5%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Civil Engineers in Albuquerque earn compared to the US average?
Civil Engineers in Albuquerque earn approximately 10% less than the US national median for this role ($95,890 nationally vs $86,301 in Albuquerque). However, Albuquerque's cost-of-living index of 94 means real purchasing power is approximately $91,810 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Civil Engineer earn in Albuquerque?
Entry-level Civil Engineers in Albuquerque typically start at around $58,500 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Civil Engineers earn $112,500 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $130,149+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Civil Engineer salaries in Albuquerque increase in 2026?
Yes — Civil Engineer salaries in Albuquerque grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $15,141 in 2025 to $86,301 in 2026 (+$71,160). This reflects the broader Engineering sector's compensation trend, driven by BIM (Revit) and Sustainability/LEED demand.
What's the job outlook for Civil Engineers in Albuquerque?
Civil engineering growing 6% with $1.2T US infrastructure investment driving demand through 2034. Albuquerque's top industries include Government, Defense (Sandia), Healthcare, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Civil Engineers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Civil Engineers are: BIM (Revit), Sustainability/LEED, Climate-resilient design, Smart cities, Drone surveying. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Albuquerque.
Who are the top employers hiring Civil Engineers in Albuquerque?
Top employers hiring Civil Engineers in or near Albuquerque include: AECOM, Bechtel, Jacobs, Kiewit, Skanska, state DOTs. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Civil Engineer salary in Albuquerque?
With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus. Key leverage points for Engineering negotiations: PE license carries a clear pay premium (often 10-15%) - cite it explicitly; Project-specific experience: EV powertrain, semiconductor fab, infrastructure megaprojects; Per-diem, travel pay, and relocation are negotiable separately from base. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: PE license exam fees, study materials, review courses, Relocation package and temporary housing, Project-completion or milestone bonuses, Per-diem for site travel and field work.
How can I increase my Civil Engineer salary in Albuquerque?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (BIM (Revit), Sustainability/LEED, Climate-resilient design) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., PE (Professional Engineer) or LEED). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Civil Engineer in Albuquerque?
Bachelor's degree (ABET); PE for senior roles is the typical path. However, Albuquerque's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Engineering roles.

Methodology & Sources

Civil Engineer salary figures for Albuquerque are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($95,890) by Albuquerque's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.90× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (470.0%) reflects the Engineering sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Albuquerque

Mechanical Engineer →Electrical Engineer →

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Cities

San Antonio, TX$89KJacksonville, FL$88KIndianapolis, IN$89KDetroit, MI$89KMemphis, TN$84KOklahoma City, OK$84KLas Vegas, NV$91KLouisville, KY$87K

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