90% OFF - $9.99
11:59:59
Claim Lifetime Deal
2026 Salary Data — Louisville, KY
Updated April 28, 2026

Civil Engineer Salary in Louisville: $87K Median

Civil Engineers in Louisville, KY earn between $59K and $132K per year.

That's -9% below the US national median of $95,890 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Civil Engineer salary in Louisville, KY is $87,260 per year — -9% below the US national median of $95,890. Salaries range from $59,150 (entry, 25th percentile) to $131,595 (90th percentile). Civil Engineers in Louisville earned approximately $15,309 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$87,260
+470.0% YoY · $7,272/mo
Entry
$59,150
0–2 years
Experienced
$113,750
5+ years
Top 10%
$131,595
Senior/lead
Civil Engineer Salary — Louisville vs Nearby
Louisville
$87K
Indianapolis
$89K
-2% vs Louisville
Detroit
$89K
-2% vs Louisville
Cleveland
$88K
-1% vs Louisville

Free ATS scan · Louisville employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Civil Engineers in Louisville

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

Louisville Job Market

Healthcare and logistics hub with affordable cost of living.

Population
630K
Cost of Living
89
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4%
Median Home
$235K

Top Industries in Louisville

Healthcare (Humana)Logistics (UPS)Manufacturing (Ford)Bourbon

Top Employers Hiring Civil Engineers

Major employers active in Louisville 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 — Louisville

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$59,150$87,260$131,595
Monthly$4,929$7,272$10,966
Weekly$1,138$1,678$2,531
Hourly$28$42$63

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($95,890) adjusted for Louisville's cost-of-living multiplier (0.91×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Civil Engineer Take-Home Pay in Louisville

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$64,057.14
Per month$5,338
Biweekly paycheck$2,464
Effective tax rate26.6%

Tax Breakdown on $87,260

Gross salary$87,260
Federal income tax−$10,899.2
Kentucky state tax−$3,490.4
Louisville local tax−$2,137.87
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$6,675.39
Take-home (net)$64,057.14

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 — Louisville

Career-stage progression for Civil Engineers in Louisville.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$54,418
2–3 yr$59,150
4–6 yr$86,450
7–10 yr$113,750
11–15 yr$134,225
15+ yr$122,673

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Louisville's 0.91× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$15,309
2026 median:$87,260
Change:+$71,951

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
$98,045
Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.

How to Negotiate Your Civil Engineer Salary in Louisville

Walk-away anchor: $77,911 (offers below this are below market for Louisville).

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 $114K–$132K for experienced roles, citing Louisville market data and your specific BIM (Revit)/Sustainability/LEED expertise.

Civil Engineer Salary FAQ — Louisville

What is the average Civil Engineer salary in Louisville, KY?
The average Civil Engineer salary in Louisville is $87,260 per year as of April 2026 — $7,272/month, $1,678/week, or about $42/hour. Salaries range from $59,150 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $131,595 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Louisville's cost-of-living multiplier (0.91×).
Is $87,260 a good Civil Engineer salary in Louisville?
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. Louisville's cost-of-living index is 89 (vs 100 nationally), giving $87,260 a real purchasing power of approximately $98,045 in national terms. Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.
Can you live on $87,260 in Louisville?
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 Louisville specifically (median home price $235,000), a $87,260 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $87,260 enough for a single person in Louisville?
A single adult in Louisville typically needs ~$40,050 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $87,260 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $87,260 enough for a couple in Louisville?
A couple (one earner) in Louisville typically needs ~$64,080 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $87,260 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $87,260 each ($174,520 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $87,260 enough for a family of 4 in Louisville?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Louisville typically needs ~$97,900 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $87,260 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 Louisville. Childcare costs in Louisville typically run $13K-$25K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Civil Engineer in Louisville?
On a $87,260 Civil Engineer salary in Louisville, KY, you take home approximately $64,057.14 per year ($5,338/month, $2,464 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $10,899.2, state $3,490.4, local $2,137.87, FICA $6,675.39. Effective tax rate: 26.6%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Civil Engineers in Louisville earn compared to the US average?
Civil Engineers in Louisville earn approximately 9% less than the US national median for this role ($95,890 nationally vs $87,260 in Louisville). However, Louisville's cost-of-living index of 89 means real purchasing power is approximately $98,045 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Civil Engineer earn in Louisville?
Entry-level Civil Engineers in Louisville typically start at around $59,150 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Civil Engineers earn $113,750 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $131,595+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Civil Engineer salaries in Louisville increase in 2026?
Yes — Civil Engineer salaries in Louisville grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $15,309 in 2025 to $87,260 in 2026 (+$71,951). 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 Louisville?
Civil engineering growing 6% with $1.2T US infrastructure investment driving demand through 2034. Louisville's top industries include Healthcare (Humana), Logistics (UPS), Manufacturing (Ford), 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 Louisville.
Who are the top employers hiring Civil Engineers in Louisville?
Top employers hiring Civil Engineers in or near Louisville 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 Louisville?
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 Louisville?
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 Louisville?
Bachelor's degree (ABET); PE for senior roles is the typical path. However, Louisville'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 Louisville are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($95,890) by Louisville's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.91× — 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 Louisville

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$91KMilwaukee, WI$91K

Land a $87K+ Civil Engineer Role in Louisville

Knowing the salary is step one. Step two: getting past the ATS. CVCraft scans your resume, finds missing keywords, and fixes formatting issues in 60 seconds.

Scan My Resume Free

No signup required · Works for all Engineering roles