Construction Project Engineers in Jacksonville command a base salary range of $86,000 to $124,000 in 2026, with total compensation climbing to $95,000, $161,000 when bonuses, truck allowance, and per-diem are factored in. This range reflects Jacksonville’s robust construction market, competitive labor demand across commercial, civil, and industrial sectors, and real placement data from Amundson Group’s 2026 Salary Guide.
Project Engineer salary range in Jacksonville: $86K, $124K base
The $86K, $124K baseline represents mid-career Project Engineers and reflects Jacksonville’s cost-of-living and regional construction demand. The spread within this range is driven by several interconnected factors:
Experience and project scale remain the primary lever. Engineers managing $50M+ commercial or industrial projects, or leading teams on critical-path civil infrastructure work, command the upper end. Engineers stepping into their first PE role or managing smaller scope may start closer to $86K.
Sector and employer size also shape compensation. Commercial and industrial verticals, which dominate Jacksonville’s growth, typically pay 8-12% above civil or heavy highway work at the same experience level. Larger regional and national firms often outbid smaller local contractors by $8K, $15K to attract proven talent.
Bonuses and total compensation typically add 10-30% on top of base. A $105K base engineer might see $10.5K, $31.5K in annual bonus, truck allowance ($300, $600/month), and per-diem during field rotations. Senior performers at strong-margin projects often exceed the 20% mark.
What drives Project Engineer pay in Jacksonville’s construction market
Jacksonville’s construction economy has shifted meaningfully over the past three years. The city continues to attract multifamily and commercial development fueled by population growth and corporate relocation. Simultaneously, civil and heavy highway work remains steady through federal and state funding cycles.
Labor demand for experienced Project Engineers outpaces supply in Jacksonville. Engineers with 5+ years of field experience and a track record managing schedule and cost on mid-to-large projects can negotiate aggressively. General Contractors and construction management firms report difficulty filling senior PE roles within 30-45 days, which supports sustained salary pressure at the $110K+ tier.
The region’s cost-of-living remains below the national average for construction hubs, but rising. Employer salaries have adjusted accordingly to retain talent competing for out-of-state opportunities. Our quarterly Salary Guide updates reflect this equilibrium.
Project Engineer compensation by experience level
- 3-5 years experience: $73,000, $90,000 base
Early-career engineers leading smaller subdivisions or supporting senior PEs on major projects.
- 5-10 years experience: $86,000, $105,000 base
Mid-career range. Primary PE on standard commercial or civil projects; demonstrable cost and schedule ownership.
- 10-15 years experience: $105,000, $124,000 base
Senior PE; managing large or complex projects, mentoring junior staff, contributing to pursuits and proposals.
- 15+ years experience: $124,000, $149,000+ base
Principal or Senior Project Engineer; P&L influence, strategic client relationships, rare market movement above $149K except in senior management tracks.
Benefits + total comp beyond base
Beyond base salary, Jacksonville market packages typically include:
- 401(k) match: 3-6% of base (average 4%)
- Health insurance: Employer-paid premiums 75-90% for individual and family plans
- Truck allowance / per-diem: $300, $600/month for field-based engineers; additional per-diem ($50, $150/day) during extended site assignments
- Annual bonus: 10-20% of base for performance-tied bonuses; stronger margins and project close-outs can push to 25-30%
- Continuing education: Many employers subsidize PE licensing, project management certifications, and safety training
Engineers on high-margin projects or with strong client feedback regularly capture bonuses at the 18-22% level, making actual total compensation $115K, $155K even within the standard range.
What Jacksonville construction companies pay top performers
Top-tier Project Engineers, those with specialized expertise (heavy highway, industrial process, energy infrastructure), strong client relationships, or consistent project delivery track records, often exceed the standard range.
Amundson Group’s placement data for 2026 shows select Jacksonville-area placements at $130K, $160K base for PE-level talent with 12+ years of focused experience in commercial build-to-suit, multifamily ground-up, or industrial/energy subsectors. These moves typically reflect:
- Specialized technical depth (MEP coordination, BIM/VDC, union labor leadership)
- Proven safety and quality leadership reducing rework and insurance costs
- Client-facing skills and ability to manage scope creep and change orders
Bonus and per-diem on these placements often run 20-30% of base, pushing total comp to $156K, $208K annually. Market movement above $160K base is rare for pure PE roles in Jacksonville; advancement beyond that threshold typically requires transition into Senior Project Manager, Project Controls, or development/estimating roles.
See Amundson Group’s full Project Engineer Salary Guide
Our Salary Guide is updated quarterly with real placement data from across commercial, civil, multifamily, industrial, and energy verticals. If you’re evaluating compensation for a Project Engineer role in Jacksonville, or seeking top talent, we recommend cross-referencing this 2026 Jacksonville snapshot against national and regional benchmarks.
Interested in recruiting top Project Engineers or exploring new opportunities? Explore open positions or contact our team to discuss your market positioning.