Civil Engineer Salary in Lakeland, FL
Civil Engineers in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn a median $81,840 a year — 19% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $66,404 take-home, or $5,534 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median civil engineer salary in Lakeland, FL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,175
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,074
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,187
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$66,404
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Civil Engineer pay by experience in Lakeland, FL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,810 | $27.79 | $48,630 | $4,053 |
| 25th percentile | $73,730 | $35.45 | $60,699 | $5,058 |
| Median (50th) | $81,840 | $39.35 | $66,404 | $5,534 |
| 75th percentile | $122,920 | $59.10 | $95,282 | $7,940 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $158,760 | $76.33 | $119,778 | $9,982 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Florida resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $81,840 buys in Lakeland, FL
Prices in Lakeland, FL are 2.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 4% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median civil engineer's $66,404 take-home pay has the buying power of $68,359 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Civil Engineer jobs are less concentrated in Lakeland, FL than nationally (location quotient 0.74), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for civil engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Lakeland, FL ranks #117 of 125 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kennewick, WA | $121,370 | $94,214 | $94,139 |
| 2 | Baton Rouge, LA | $112,430 | $84,938 | $93,565 |
| 3 | Mobile, AL | $107,810 | $79,549 | $90,296 |
| 4 | New Orleans, LA | $108,240 | $82,116 | $88,681 |
| 5 | Sioux Falls, SD | $99,700 | $78,969 | $87,132 |
| 6 | Tulsa, OK | $102,080 | $76,595 | $85,856 |
| 7 | Sacramento, CA | $130,150 | $90,657 | $84,988 |
| 8 | Beaumont, TX | $95,510 | $76,021 | $84,425 |
| 117 | Lakeland, FL | $81,840 | $66,404 | $68,359 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 125 metros →
Civil Engineer salaries elsewhere in Florida
- Crestview, FL — $101,820
- Jacksonville, FL — $102,280
- Palm Bay, FL — $100,640
- Tampa, FL — $100,570
- Orlando, FL — $100,740
- Tallahassee, FL — $90,840
- North Port, FL — $86,170
- Cape Coral, FL — $84,990
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Lakeland, FL?
The median civil engineer salary in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area is $81,840 a year, or about $39.35 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $73,730 and $122,920.
What is a civil engineer’s take-home pay in Lakeland, FL?
On the median $81,840 salary, a single filer living in Florida takes home about $66,404 a year ($5,534 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Lakeland, FL a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Pay here is 19% below the national median of $100,840. Local prices are 2.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $68,359 would in a typical U.S. city. Lakeland, FL ranks #117 of 125 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a civil engineer afford rent in Lakeland, FL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lakeland, FL is $1,230 a month ($1,497 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median civil engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.