--- title: "Construction Project Engineer Salary Raleigh NC 2026" description: "Construction Project Engineer salary in Raleigh, NC ranges $90K–$130K base (2026). See experience tiers, benefits, and total comp breakdown from AG's placement" url: https://amundsongroup.com/construction-project-engineer-salary-raleigh/ published: 2026-05-25 modified: 2026-10-25 publisher: Amundson Group markdown_of: https://amundsongroup.com/construction-project-engineer-salary-raleigh/ --- # Construction Project Engineer Salary Raleigh NC 2026 Project Engineers in Raleigh command a **$90K to $130K base salary range** in 2026, reflecting strong regional demand and the city’s expanding construction sector. When bonuses, truck allowances, and per-diem are factored in, total compensation often climbs 10-30% above base, putting top performers well into the six-figure territory. ## Project Engineer salary range in Raleigh: $90K to $130K base The $90K to $130K spread reflects the diversity of roles and employers across Raleigh’s construction market. A Project Engineer early in the 5-10 year window, managing smaller commercial projects or assisting on mid-size civil jobs, typically lands in the lower half of that range. Engineers with 10-15 years of experience, overseeing multi-million-dollar projects, coordinating subcontractors, and leading QA/QC efforts, cluster toward the upper end. Experience isn’t the only variable. **Project scope and sector matter significantly.** Heavy highway and civil infrastructure projects often pay 8-15% more than standard commercial work due to complexity and regulatory demands. Industrial and energy projects, particularly those requiring specialized certifications or site management expertise, push salaries higher still. Employer size plays a role too: larger, publicly held construction firms and specialty contractors typically offer higher base salaries than smaller regional builders, though smaller firms may compensate with performance bonuses or equity opportunities. Base salary is just the foundation. Most Raleigh construction employers layer on bonuses (10-20% of base for performance or project completion), truck allowances ($400 to $800/month), per-diem for out-of-town work, and annual raises tied to project performance or tenure. A Project Engineer earning $110K base could realistically see $130K to $140K in total annual compensation when these add-ons materialize. ## What drives Project Engineer pay in Raleigh’s construction market Raleigh’s construction economy has accelerated over the past five years. The city’s population growth, tech sector expansion, and infrastructure investment have fueled demand for commercial office space, multifamily housing, and civil projects. This sustained activity creates steady work for Project Engineers and tightens the talent pool, pushing salaries upward. The region’s sector mix tilts toward mixed-use commercial and residential development, but civil and infrastructure work is rising. Highway modernization, water/sewer upgrades, and transit-adjacent projects create premium opportunities for engineers with civil or heavy-highway experience. Labor availability remains competitive; skilled Project Engineers are in-demand, and employers know they must offer market-rate compensation to retain top talent. Raleigh’s cost of living, while rising, remains lower than coastal metros. This means the $90K to $130K range affords a solid middle-class lifestyle, and employers calibrate salaries accordingly. That said, competition for experienced Project Engineers is real, and top firms routinely offer signing bonuses or relocation packages to attract out-of-market talent. ## Project Engineer compensation by experience level Here’s how Raleigh Project Engineer salaries typically break down by experience: - **3-5 years:** $77K to $95K base Assistant or junior Project Engineer roles; learning on the job, limited project ownership. - **5-10 years:** $90K to $110K base Intermediate Project Engineer; managing day-to-day tasks, scheduling, cost tracking, and subcontractor coordination. - **10-15 years:** $110K to $130K base Senior Project Engineer or lead role; full project responsibility, client interface, quality oversight, and mentoring of junior staff. - **15+ years:** $130K to $156K+ base Principal or senior-level titles; strategic project management, estimating input, business development support, and firm-wide process ownership. These ranges assume standard commercial and civil work. Specialists in heavy highway, industrial process, or energy sectors often exceed these bands by $10K to $25K at equivalent experience levels. ## Benefits + total comp beyond base Base salary tells only part of the story. Raleigh construction employers typically offer comprehensive benefits packages: **401(k) matching** (3-6% of base is standard), **health insurance** (employer covers 80-90% of premiums), and **dental/vision coverage** round out the core. **Truck allowances** ($400 to $800/month) or company vehicles are common for Project Engineers who visit job sites regularly. **Per-diem pay** ($50 to $100/day) kicks in for projects requiring travel or overnight stays. Many firms also offer **performance bonuses** (10-20% of base) tied to project milestones, safety metrics, or annual profitability. When combined, these benefits and incentives can add $15K to $25K annually to a $110K base salary, bringing total compensation into the $125K to $135K range for a mid-career engineer. ## What Raleigh construction companies pay top performers The $90K to $130K range covers the typical market. However, **top-performing Project Engineers**, those with specialized certifications (PE license, PMP, safety certifications), a track record of on-time, under-budget delivery, or expertise in high-value sectors like energy or industrial, regularly earn above this band. According to Amundson Group’s placement data, senior Project Engineers and those transitioning into Project Manager roles in Raleigh see base offers of $130K to $160K, particularly at larger firms or on complex, long-duration projects. Engineers with rare skill sets (BIM coordination, self-performing heavy civil, modular/prefab expertise) command premiums. Signing bonuses of $5K to $15K are increasingly common for mid-to-senior level placements, especially when recruiting from outside the region. The ceiling for Project Engineer-level roles in Raleigh sits around $156K to $170K base, after which employers typically promote into full Project Manager or Senior Project Manager titles, where compensation extends into the $150K to $250K+ range. ## See Amundson Group’s full Project Engineer Salary Guide Salary benchmarks shift quarterly as the construction labor market evolves. **[View Amundson Group’s full Salary Guide](https://amundsongroup.com/salary-guide/)** for real-time data across construction verticals, experience levels, and metro markets nationwide. Our guides are updated quarterly using placement data from hundreds of construction recruiting placements, ensuring accuracy and relevance. If you’re a Project Engineer exploring opportunities in Raleigh or a construction firm seeking to hire top talent, [connect with Amundson Group’s recruitment team](https://amundsongroup.com/hire-talent/) for a confidential consultation on current market rates and available positions. *Related searches: [Construction Assistant Project Manager Salary in Raleigh, NC 2026](https://amundsongroup.com/construction-assistant-project-manager-salary-raleigh/) · [Construction Project Engineer Recruiter in Raleigh, NC](https://amundsongroup.com/construction-project-engineer-recruiter-raleigh/) · [Construction Project Manager Salary in Texas: 2026 Breakdown](https://amundsongroup.com/construction-project-manager-salary-texas-2026/)* More from Amundson Group: [Raleigh construction recruiters](https://amundsongroup.com/construction-recruiters-raleigh/) and [North Carolina construction recruiters](https://amundsongroup.com/construction-recruiters-north-carolina/). --- About Amundson Group: a Houston-headquartered construction recruiting firm placing superintendents, project managers, estimators, foremen and skilled trades with contractors across the United States in heavy civil, site development, paving, data center, rail, tunnels, wastewater and underground utilities. 1,200+ construction placements to date, a network of 90,000+ construction professionals, 250+ companies served, the first qualified resume in about 7 hours and a shortlist in 7 days. 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