Civil Engineer Salary in Virginia: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Civil Engineer salary really buy you in Virginia?

Virginia is 2.1% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary

$96,210

Median annual (2024)

→ -2.1%

Real Purchasing Power

$94,231

COL-adjusted (RPP=102.1)

Virginia Cost of Living Index

Virginia's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 102.1, meaning prices are 2.1% higher the national average. A Civil Engineer earning $96,210 in Virginia has the equivalent purchasing power of $94,231 in an average-cost US state.

VA: 102.1

Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Virginia's cost of living.

Percentile	Nominal Salary	COL-Adjusted	Difference
10th Percentile (P10)	$61,610	$60,342	$-1,267
25th Percentile (P25)	$77,120	$75,533	$-1,586
Median (P50)	$96,210	$94,231	$-1,978
75th Percentile (P75)	$125,080	$122,507	$-2,572
90th Percentile (P90)	$145,480	$142,487	$-2,992

Key Insight

Virginia's cost of living is close to the national average, so $96,210 keeps most of its value at $94,231 in real terms. Location choice here is more about career opportunities than cost arbitrage.

Best States for Civil Engineer (After Cost of Living)

Where does Civil Engineer salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Mississippi

$119,060

RPP 87.3

2. New Mexico

$114,945

RPP 91.0

3. Louisiana

$112,969

RPP 90.6

4. Oklahoma

$112,094

RPP 88.8

5. Kentucky

$112,080

RPP 89.4

6. Alabama

$111,731

RPP 87.8

7. Nebraska

$110,645

RPP 89.8

8. North Dakota

$108,410

RPP 88.7

9. South Dakota

$108,079

RPP 88.0

10. Rhode Island

$107,211

RPP 104.7

Virginia ranks #41 out of 49 states for Civil Engineer after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Civil Engineer in Virginia after cost of living?

A Civil Engineer in Virginia earns a median salary of $96,210 per year. After adjusting for Virginia's cost of living (RPP=102.1), the real purchasing power is $94,231 — a -2.1% difference.

Is Virginia expensive to live in?

Virginia's cost of living is 2.1% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Virginia is 102.1 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Civil Engineer in Virginia: $96,210 x (100 / 102.1) = $94,231. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Does the high cost of living in Virginia offset the salary?

Partially — a Civil Engineer's nominal salary of $96,210 in Virginia has 2.1% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $94,231. However, Virginia may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.