Civil engineer salary
BLS occupation: Civil Engineers · Architecture and engineering · data for May 2025
Median salary $100,840 a year, US
Median hourly pay $48.48 an hour
Middle half earn $79,930–$129,680 25th to 75th percentile
Civil engineers employed 367,840 +6.4% projected by 2035
How much does a civil engineer make?
- The median civil engineer salary in the US is $100,840 a year ($48.48 an hour): half of the 367,840 civil engineers BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $108,670.
- The middle half earn between $79,930 and $129,680. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $68,240 and the top 10% more than $163,220.
- That is 98% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- California pays civil engineers the most (median $122,500), followed by Alaska ($114,730) and Washington ($110,000). Georgia pays the least ($84,240).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Louisiana, where the median is worth $119,469 in typical US prices, then Mississippi and Nebraska. California's higher pay is offset by its prices (110.7 vs a US average of 100).
- In 345 of the 364 metro areas with data, the median civil engineer salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of civil engineers to grow 6.4% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 22,700 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what civil engineers are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Civil engineer salary range
Half of civil engineers earn between $79,930 and $129,680 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $68,240
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $79,930
Median Yearly pay: $100,840
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $129,680
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $163,220
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $68,240 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $79,930 |
| Median | $100,840 |
| Top 25% earn over | $129,680 |
| Top 10% earn over | $163,220 |
Civil engineer salary by state
California pays civil engineers the most; Georgia the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($100,840), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| California | $122,500 median |
| Alaska | $114,730 median |
| Washington | $110,000 median |
| Massachusetts | $106,730 median |
| Louisiana | $105,380 median |
| Oregon | $105,250 median |
| New Jersey | $104,660 median |
| Nevada | $104,310 median |
| New Mexico | $103,900 median |
| District of Columbia | $103,880 median |
| New York | $103,760 median |
| Connecticut | $103,150 median |
| Nebraska | $103,150 median |
| South Carolina | $101,600 median |
| Minnesota | $101,480 median |
| Colorado | $101,420 median |
| Kentucky | $100,930 median |
| North Carolina | $100,730 median |
| Maryland | $100,680 median |
| Delaware | $100,220 median |
| Mississippi | $100,170 median |
| Illinois | $99,760 median |
| Rhode Island | $99,300 median |
| Alabama | $99,010 median |
| Oklahoma | $98,760 median |
| New Hampshire | $98,710 median |
| South Dakota | $98,700 median |
| Florida | $98,570 median |
| Indiana | $98,270 median |
| North Dakota | $98,190 median |
| Idaho | $98,030 median |
| Pennsylvania | $97,850 median |
| Maine | $97,820 median |
| Virginia | $97,120 median |
| Kansas | $96,880 median |
| Texas | $96,860 median |
| Utah | $96,830 median |
| Iowa | $96,430 median |
| Ohio | $96,220 median |
| Tennessee | $95,910 median |
| Vermont | $95,600 median |
| Wisconsin | $94,600 median |
| Hawaii | $94,280 median |
| Montana | $93,070 median |
| Missouri | $92,750 median |
| Michigan | $92,100 median |
| Wyoming | $90,590 median |
| Arizona | $89,660 median |
| West Virginia | $86,930 median |
| Arkansas | $85,020 median |
| Georgia | $84,240 median |
Where civil engineer pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Civil engineers' pay goes furthest in Louisiana once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | $119,469 |
| Mississippi | $115,200 |
| Nebraska | $114,480 |
| New Mexico | $112,675 |
| Oklahoma | $112,428 |
| Alaska | $112,086 |
| Kentucky | $111,947 |
| Alabama | $111,469 |
| South Dakota | $111,417 |
| California | $110,639 |
Civil engineer pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $122,500 | $58.89 | $77,980 | $175,940 | 55,180 | $110,639 |
| Alaska | $114,730 | $55.16 | $78,940 | $163,420 | 1,670 | $112,086 |
| Washington | $110,000 | $52.88 | $81,840 | $160,670 | 12,590 | $102,791 |
| Massachusetts | $106,730 | $51.31 | $78,280 | $165,590 | 9,450 | $100,920 |
| Louisiana | $105,380 | $50.66 | $64,570 | $156,610 | 3,780 | $119,469 |
| Oregon | $105,250 | $50.60 | $77,560 | $166,060 | 4,890 | $101,828 |
| New Jersey | $104,660 | $50.32 | $74,640 | $169,220 | 6,900 | $96,190 |
| Nevada | $104,310 | $50.15 | $77,480 | $160,820 | 3,560 | $104,332 |
| New Mexico | $103,900 | $49.95 | $67,100 | $163,570 | 1,350 | $112,675 |
| District of Columbia | $103,880 | $49.94 | $78,780 | $164,200 | 1,650 | $94,521 |
| New York | $103,760 | $49.88 | $77,290 | $169,050 | 17,500 | $96,144 |
| Connecticut | $103,150 | $49.59 | $76,350 | $161,670 | 4,370 | $99,556 |
| Nebraska | $103,150 | $49.59 | $68,950 | $149,980 | 2,360 | $114,480 |
| South Carolina | $101,600 | $48.85 | $67,950 | $156,380 | 7,180 | $108,374 |
| Minnesota | $101,480 | $48.79 | $65,840 | $159,230 | 4,710 | $102,899 |
| Colorado | $101,420 | $48.76 | $76,810 | $165,230 | 13,290 | $98,416 |
| Kentucky | $100,930 | $48.52 | $65,660 | $143,680 | 2,690 | $111,947 |
| North Carolina | $100,730 | $48.43 | $70,760 | $160,520 | 12,810 | $106,789 |
| Maryland | $100,680 | $48.40 | $75,550 | $152,730 | 5,240 | $95,923 |
| Delaware | $100,220 | $48.18 | $74,560 | $153,100 | 920 | $100,413 |
| Mississippi | $100,170 | $48.16 | $49,840 | $162,240 | 1,770 | $115,200 |
| Illinois | $99,760 | $47.96 | $69,590 | $157,410 | 13,910 | $99,802 |
| Rhode Island | $99,300 | $47.74 | $77,800 | $151,020 | 1,270 | $97,086 |
| Alabama | $99,010 | $47.60 | $63,930 | $168,370 | 5,370 | $111,469 |
| Oklahoma | $98,760 | $47.48 | $66,550 | $153,470 | 2,180 | $112,428 |
| New Hampshire | $98,710 | $47.46 | $64,270 | $139,060 | 1,620 | $94,763 |
| South Dakota | $98,700 | $47.45 | $70,050 | $127,090 | 1,440 | $111,417 |
| Florida | $98,570 | $47.39 | $58,640 | $166,680 | 23,750 | $95,316 |
| Indiana | $98,270 | $47.25 | $64,200 | $140,130 | 4,030 | $105,294 |
| North Dakota | $98,190 | $47.21 | $63,290 | $143,740 | 1,380 | $110,377 |
| Idaho | $98,030 | $47.13 | $67,250 | $141,020 | 2,630 | $102,656 |
| Pennsylvania | $97,850 | $47.04 | $67,930 | $141,310 | 15,870 | $100,285 |
| Maine | $97,820 | $47.03 | $71,080 | $132,600 | 1,240 | $100,793 |
| Virginia | $97,120 | $46.69 | $74,000 | $150,710 | 11,350 | $96,060 |
| Kansas | $96,880 | $46.58 | $63,260 | $150,640 | 2,880 | $107,563 |
| Texas | $96,860 | $46.57 | $63,240 | $164,330 | 34,870 | $99,797 |
| Utah | $96,830 | $46.55 | $62,130 | $149,410 | 5,670 | $97,943 |
| Iowa | $96,430 | $46.36 | $64,900 | $135,480 | 2,500 | $109,877 |
| Ohio | $96,220 | $46.26 | $65,170 | $144,620 | 10,560 | $103,714 |
| Tennessee | $95,910 | $46.11 | $65,090 | $154,100 | 5,790 | $104,398 |
| Vermont | $95,600 | $45.96 | $68,720 | $129,390 | 770 | $97,593 |
| Wisconsin | $94,600 | $45.48 | $67,590 | $131,040 | 7,410 | $100,537 |
| Hawaii | $94,280 | $45.33 | $62,900 | $131,810 | 2,640 | $85,747 |
| Montana | $93,070 | $44.75 | $62,230 | $129,020 | 1,870 | $98,336 |
| Missouri | $92,750 | $44.59 | $64,950 | $139,210 | 5,760 | $102,128 |
| Michigan | $92,100 | $44.28 | $63,920 | $130,400 | 7,760 | $95,721 |
| Wyoming | $90,590 | $43.55 | $67,870 | $133,920 | 990 | $97,733 |
| Arizona | $89,660 | $43.11 | $63,740 | $138,030 | 5,940 | $89,057 |
| West Virginia | $86,930 | $41.79 | $51,640 | $132,960 | 1,300 | $97,132 |
| Arkansas | $85,020 | $40.88 | $44,810 | $132,460 | 1,870 | $97,795 |
| Georgia | $84,240 | $40.50 | $62,850 | $153,690 | 9,400 | $87,483 |
After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Civil engineer salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes civil engineer pay: 368 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Jose, CA $130,280
- San Francisco, CA $130,160
- Sacramento, CA $130,150
- Mankato, MN $128,220
- Redding, CA $126,000
- Napa, CA $123,440
- Walla Walla, WA $123,030
- Vallejo, CA $122,510
- Salinas, CA $122,160
- Kennewick, WA $121,370
Where the pay goes furthest
- Mankato, MN $140,971
- Houma, LA $126,200
- Redding, CA $125,144
- Walla Walla, WA $124,879
- Baton Rouge, LA $123,849
- Mobile, AL $122,375
- Sacramento, CA $122,012
- Kennewick, WA $121,274
- Decatur, AL $118,665
- Monroe, LA $118,641
All 368 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $130,280 | 3,170 | $117,983 | 35% |
| San Francisco, CA | $130,160 | 10,990 | $112,582 | 32% |
| Sacramento, CA | $130,150 | 5,590 | $122,012 | 21% |
| Mankato, MN | $128,220 | 50 | $140,971 | 12% |
| Redding, CA | $126,000 | 380 | $125,144 | 16% |
| Napa, CA | $123,440 | 180 | $109,672 | 28% |
| Walla Walla, WA | $123,030 | 190 | $124,879 | 14% |
| Vallejo, CA | $122,510 | 300 | $112,934 | 24% |
| Salinas, CA | $122,160 | 250 | $112,030 | 27% |
| Kennewick, WA | $121,370 | 630 | $121,274 | 17% |
| Yuba City, CA | $119,990 | 460 | $115,117 | 20% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $119,980 | 610 | $110,278 | 33% |
| Fresno, CA | $119,720 | 1,250 | $117,191 | 21% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $118,050 | 210 | $107,420 | 35% |
| Stockton, CA | $116,990 | 610 | $111,325 | 25% |
| Seattle, WA | $116,480 | 7,680 | $104,811 | 23% |
| Bremerton, WA | $116,210 | 300 | $110,040 | 21% |
| Salem, OR | $115,480 | 480 | $111,414 | 17% |
| Riverside, CA | $115,120 | 3,510 | $108,153 | 26% |
| Anchorage, AK | $112,740 | 1,110 | $106,944 | 20% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $112,430 | 1,140 | $123,849 | 15% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $111,740 | 490 | $103,670 | 29% |
| Fairbanks, AK | $111,080 | 240 | $107,627 | 20% |
| Kingston, NY | $110,610 | 40 | $109,831 | 22% |
| Santa Fe, NM | $110,470 | 150 | $111,849 | 21% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $110,210 | 720 | $101,486 | 31% |
| El Centro, CA | $109,490 | 120 | $115,042 | 20% |
| San Diego, CA | $108,900 | 5,620 | $97,330 | 33% |
| Oxnard, CA | $108,820 | 790 | $98,449 | 33% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $108,640 | 16,340 | $95,662 | 32% |
| New Orleans, LA | $108,240 | 1,070 | $116,894 | 17% |
| Olympia, WA | $108,240 | 860 | $104,408 | 23% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $107,870 | 560 | $100,941 | 32% |
| Mobile, AL | $107,810 | 790 | $122,375 | 14% |
| Bellingham, WA | $107,790 | 220 | $104,312 | 22% |
| Boston, MA | $107,670 | 7,970 | $99,450 | 33% |
| Houma, LA | $107,400 | 130 | $126,200 | 15% |
| Chico, CA | $107,350 | 160 | $106,080 | 17% |
| New York, NY | $107,330 | 15,590 | $95,351 | 40% |
| Jackson, MI | $107,320 | 80 | $116,933 | 13% |
| Portland, OR | $106,280 | 4,180 | $100,815 | 20% |
| Binghamton, NY | $106,140 | 240 | $114,297 | 18% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $106,110 | 2,240 | $105,882 | 20% |
| Huntsville, AL | $105,760 | 1,010 | $113,632 | 16% |
| Springfield, IL | $105,750 | 440 | $114,022 | 14% |
| Reno, NV | $105,470 | 730 | $104,411 | 24% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $105,080 | 680 | $109,978 | 17% |
| Visalia, CA | $104,780 | 200 | $104,964 | 20% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $104,740 | 3,350 | $99,922 | 20% |
| Denver, CO | $104,710 | 9,130 | $98,987 | 22% |
| Corvallis, OR | $104,150 | 130 | $100,128 | 21% |
| Hartford, CT | $103,650 | 2,420 | $100,880 | 23% |
| Decatur, AL | $103,490 | 180 | $118,665 | 13% |
| Norwich, CT | $103,430 | 330 | $102,972 | 24% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $103,350 | 190 | $103,099 | – |
| Lexington, KY | $103,090 | 600 | $110,982 | 19% |
| Augusta, GA | $103,010 | 2,000 | $112,086 | 17% |
| Merced, CA | $102,930 | 50 | $104,737 | 24% |
| Greenville, SC | $102,830 | 1,170 | $110,262 | 18% |
| Longview, WA | $102,750 | 60 | $105,336 | 17% |
| New Haven, CT | $102,690 | 460 | $98,212 | 24% |
| Louisville, KY | $102,650 | 940 | $110,289 | 16% |
| Bloomington, IN | $102,600 | 80 | $107,905 | 20% |
| Albany, NY | $102,470 | 1,470 | $102,917 | 20% |
| Pueblo, CO | $102,430 | 130 | $111,626 | 15% |
| Charlotte, NC | $102,370 | 3,730 | $105,159 | 20% |
| Syracuse, NY | $102,330 | 830 | $106,881 | 19% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $102,280 | 1,900 | $102,811 | 20% |
| Portland, ME | $102,240 | 710 | $100,375 | 27% |
| Tulsa, OK | $102,080 | 880 | $114,422 | 16% |
| Omaha, NE | $102,020 | 1,240 | $110,999 | 16% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $101,830 | 2,000 | $106,410 | 18% |
| Crestview, FL | $101,820 | 590 | $104,936 | 23% |
| Slidell, LA | $101,820 | 240 | $109,807 | – |
| Hagerstown, MD | $101,800 | 60 | $108,101 | 19% |
| Washington, DC | $101,780 | 8,470 | $93,476 | 28% |
| Worcester, MA | $101,770 | 600 | $99,266 | 25% |
| Kahului, HI | $101,530 | 140 | $92,812 | 38% |
| Raleigh, NC | $101,440 | 4,640 | $103,345 | 20% |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $101,300 | 150 | $98,884 | 26% |
| Rochester, MN | $101,200 | 120 | $111,428 | 19% |
| Bend, OR | $101,150 | 240 | $97,629 | 26% |
| Trenton, NJ | $101,090 | 1,100 | $97,974 | 30% |
| Sandusky, OH | $101,060 | 30 | $113,193 | 22% |
| Modesto, CA | $101,000 | 320 | $97,015 | 25% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $100,970 | 50 | $100,643 | 25% |
| Houston, TX | $100,950 | 12,140 | $102,353 | 19% |
| Paducah, KY | $100,950 | 80 | $117,269 | 14% |
| Winchester, VA | $100,920 | 150 | $104,635 | 22% |
| Pittsfield, MA | $100,810 | 300 | $105,998 | 21% |
| Orlando, FL | $100,740 | 3,720 | $99,331 | 23% |
| Helena, MT | $100,710 | 360 | $105,263 | 20% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $100,680 | 4,210 | $106,347 | 17% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $100,640 | 1,070 | $100,635 | 23% |
| Vineland, NJ | $100,620 | 60 | $104,847 | 20% |
| Tampa, FL | $100,570 | 4,190 | $99,683 | 24% |
| Grand Forks, ND | $100,520 | 170 | $115,990 | 14% |
| Spokane, WA | $100,510 | 600 | $100,163 | 18% |
| Wenatchee, WA | $100,510 | 180 | $96,779 | 21% |
| Yakima, WA | $100,510 | 210 | $105,197 | 16% |
| Baltimore, MD | $100,500 | 2,540 | $96,184 | 23% |
| Austin, TX | $100,470 | 4,940 | $102,451 | 19% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $100,330 | 110 | $116,815 | 13% |
| Florence, AL | $100,300 | 110 | $118,255 | 13% |
| Rapid City, SD | $100,300 | 350 | $112,494 | 17% |
| Burlington, NC | $100,220 | 40 | $107,537 | 16% |
| Ames, IA | $100,200 | 290 | $112,800 | 14% |
| Asheville, NC | $100,170 | 400 | $103,797 | 20% |
| Jackson, MS | $100,170 | 430 | $112,490 | 18% |
| Chicago, IL | $100,160 | 9,760 | $96,684 | 26% |
| Deltona, FL | $100,160 | 240 | $100,798 | 21% |
| Hanford, CA | $99,910 | 40 | $98,325 | 23% |
| Springfield, MA | $99,790 | 300 | $103,882 | 24% |
| Dalton, GA | $99,760 | 200 | $111,037 | 17% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $99,700 | 540 | $110,007 | 15% |
| Dover, DE | $99,640 | 270 | $102,188 | 21% |
| Waterbury, CT | $99,620 | 350 | $99,842 | – |
| Auburn, AL | $99,590 | 130 | $113,257 | 19% |
| Boise, ID | $99,510 | 1,610 | $101,137 | 23% |
| Minot, ND | $99,460 | 70 | $114,285 | 15% |
| Rochester, NY | $99,460 | 890 | $102,499 | 18% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $99,420 | 190 | $101,147 | 22% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $99,410 | 6,160 | $96,934 | 23% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $99,360 | 170 | $100,509 | 25% |
| Elkhart, IN | $99,330 | 60 | $109,970 | 14% |
| Providence, RI | $99,310 | 1,550 | $97,580 | 26% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $99,300 | 870 | $98,428 | 22% |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $99,230 | 110 | $98,712 | 22% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $99,220 | 240 | $98,994 | 28% |
| Dubuque, IA | $99,210 | 120 | $113,606 | 13% |
| Monroe, LA | $99,180 | 110 | $118,641 | 14% |
| Columbus, OH | $99,010 | 2,630 | $103,709 | 18% |
| Madison, WI | $99,010 | 1,530 | $101,771 | 22% |
| Lima, OH | $98,990 | 90 | $110,395 | 15% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $98,960 | 880 | $109,459 | 17% |
| Savannah, GA | $98,950 | 370 | $103,933 | 21% |
| Eugene, OR | $98,940 | 230 | $97,413 | 21% |
| Champaign, IL | $98,910 | 230 | $106,694 | 17% |
| Reading, PA | $98,890 | 320 | $101,885 | 19% |
| Kansas City, MO | $98,860 | 3,230 | $106,826 | 19% |
| Duluth, MN | $98,830 | 220 | $111,335 | 16% |
| Casper, WY | $98,800 | 100 | $105,298 | 17% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $98,800 | 2,890 | $97,950 | 20% |
| Allentown, PA | $98,760 | 600 | $98,792 | 22% |
| Charleston, SC | $98,740 | 1,310 | $97,799 | 25% |
| Manchester, NH | $98,710 | 460 | $93,425 | 26% |
| Nashville, TN | $98,650 | 2,090 | $102,400 | 22% |
| Shreveport, LA | $98,550 | 210 | $116,261 | 16% |
| Burlington, VT | $98,400 | 250 | $97,475 | 32% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $98,390 | 130 | $97,648 | 25% |
| Bismarck, ND | $98,270 | 380 | $107,961 | 16% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $98,220 | 2,110 | $102,988 | 19% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $98,180 | 400 | $89,726 | 28% |
| Lancaster, PA | $97,780 | 540 | $99,515 | 19% |
| Gainesville, FL | $97,710 | 330 | $101,010 | 20% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $97,710 | 210 | $103,493 | 18% |
| Sebastian, FL | $97,620 | 110 | $99,300 | 26% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $97,570 | 220 | $96,719 | 24% |
| Ithaca, NY | $97,550 | 50 | $94,418 | 24% |
| Staunton, VA | $97,530 | 90 | $107,025 | 18% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $97,490 | 120 | $113,556 | 17% |
| Farmington, NM | $97,470 | 60 | $111,131 | 17% |
| Montgomery, AL | $97,470 | 520 | $108,684 | 17% |
| Waterloo, IA | $97,430 | 110 | $111,915 | 13% |
| Birmingham, AL | $97,420 | 1,070 | $106,303 | 17% |
| Lafayette, LA | $97,410 | 360 | $111,697 | 17% |
| Des Moines, IA | $97,330 | 830 | $106,138 | 16% |
| Anniston, AL | $97,290 | 40 | $113,195 | 12% |
| Lawrence, KS | $97,220 | 150 | $107,731 | 19% |
| Twin Falls, ID | $97,220 | 70 | $105,550 | 19% |
| Panama City, FL | $97,180 | 350 | $99,881 | 21% |
| Bloomington, IL | $97,070 | 120 | $103,777 | 16% |
| Buffalo, NY | $97,060 | 930 | $101,269 | 18% |
| Billings, MT | $97,010 | 400 | $103,725 | 17% |
| Clarksville, TN | $96,930 | 140 | $106,579 | 17% |
| Dallas, TX | $96,920 | 8,010 | $94,015 | 21% |
| The Villages, FL | $96,860 | 70 | $113,387 | 21% |
| St. Louis, MO | $96,830 | 3,150 | $101,832 | 18% |
| Midland, MI | $96,730 | 50 | $105,232 | 17% |
| Barnstable, MA | $96,680 | 80 | $98,301 | 32% |
| Monroe, MI | $96,610 | 50 | $103,335 | 16% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $96,580 | 90 | $102,729 | 17% |
| Knoxville, TN | $96,320 | 1,110 | $104,052 | 21% |
| Toledo, OH | $96,300 | 770 | $105,298 | 16% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $96,260 | 80 | $106,743 | 15% |
| Ogden, UT | $96,240 | 1,150 | $95,905 | 20% |
| Cleveland, OH | $96,190 | 1,770 | $102,414 | 18% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $96,190 | 2,330 | $99,229 | 19% |
| South Bend, IN | $96,180 | 180 | $103,578 | 16% |
| Decatur, IL | $96,170 | 100 | $108,763 | 13% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $96,120 | 80 | $109,686 | 15% |
| State College, PA | $96,110 | 160 | $99,326 | 24% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $96,100 | 170 | $107,539 | 16% |
| Memphis, TN | $96,100 | 780 | $104,254 | 17% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $96,080 | 210 | $104,460 | 18% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $96,060 | 240 | $101,286 | 16% |
| Lansing, MI | $96,040 | 730 | $101,104 | 16% |
| Manhattan, KS | $96,030 | 180 | $106,508 | 16% |
| Battle Creek, MI | $96,020 | 50 | $106,051 | 14% |
| La Crosse, WI | $95,870 | 190 | $104,469 | 17% |
| Pinehurst, NC | $95,800 | 60 | $108,450 | 23% |
| Scranton, PA | $95,730 | 450 | $102,324 | 17% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $95,630 | 670 | $104,555 | 19% |
| Lincoln, NE | $95,560 | 530 | $104,345 | 16% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $95,540 | 290 | $107,393 | 15% |
| Fargo, ND | $95,530 | 510 | $105,127 | 14% |
| Beaumont, TX | $95,510 | 720 | $106,068 | 16% |
| Midland, TX | $95,480 | 230 | $99,684 | 20% |
| Dayton, OH | $95,270 | 850 | $102,779 | 17% |
| Carson City, NV | $95,260 | 310 | $97,075 | 26% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $95,160 | 820 | $102,686 | 18% |
| Peoria, IL | $95,140 | 430 | $104,285 | 15% |
| Kenosha, WI | $95,090 | 50 | $94,039 | – |
| York, PA | $95,040 | 400 | $99,000 | 17% |
| Rockford, IL | $94,850 | 160 | $102,926 | 16% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $94,840 | 1,100 | $94,174 | 22% |
| Charleston, WV | $94,810 | 280 | $106,868 | 15% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $94,800 | 60 | $96,484 | 24% |
| Daphne, AL | $94,790 | 200 | $100,106 | 22% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $94,720 | 680 | $93,663 | 25% |
| Hickory, NC | $94,720 | 130 | $107,045 | 20% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $94,680 | 1,990 | $96,670 | 24% |
| Florence, SC | $94,630 | 140 | $109,053 | 19% |
| Naples, FL | $94,600 | 160 | $91,667 | 33% |
| Honolulu, HI | $94,600 | 2,300 | $85,255 | 38% |
| Medford, OR | $94,560 | 90 | $93,224 | 23% |
| Columbia, SC | $94,520 | 1,070 | $100,916 | 20% |
| Huntington, WV | $94,520 | 290 | $106,896 | 14% |
| Akron, OH | $94,450 | 800 | $101,157 | 17% |
| Wilmington, NC | $94,450 | 460 | $97,955 | 22% |
| Greenville, NC | $94,410 | 150 | $106,796 | 19% |
| Racine, WI | $94,390 | 90 | $98,363 | 19% |
| Yuma, AZ | $94,370 | 110 | $101,795 | 18% |
| Watertown, NY | $94,340 | 130 | $107,584 | 19% |
| Traverse City, MI | $94,280 | 120 | $100,972 | 24% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $94,200 | – | $101,607 | 21% |
| Sumter, SC | $94,110 | 40 | $106,919 | 19% |
| Pensacola, FL | $93,980 | 380 | $96,176 | 22% |
| Durham, NC | $93,940 | 740 | $96,278 | 21% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $93,910 | 40 | $106,963 | 12% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $93,830 | 1,370 | $95,114 | 19% |
| Topeka, KS | $93,740 | 300 | $105,539 | 16% |
| Altoona, PA | $93,680 | 220 | $104,662 | 13% |
| Green Bay, WI | $93,660 | 450 | $100,617 | 14% |
| Greensboro, NC | $93,460 | 620 | $100,641 | 18% |
| Albany, OR | $93,280 | 50 | $91,361 | 21% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $93,280 | 190 | $100,522 | 15% |
| Muskegon, MI | $93,140 | 70 | $100,671 | 17% |
| Jackson, TN | $93,070 | 100 | $108,826 | 18% |
| Iowa City, IA | $93,020 | 130 | $101,651 | 23% |
| Davenport, IA | $92,950 | 410 | $104,346 | 13% |
| Killeen, TX | $92,830 | 270 | $101,863 | 17% |
| Greeley, CO | $92,680 | 370 | $92,517 | 22% |
| Niles, MI | $92,620 | 70 | $100,271 | 18% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $92,600 | 710 | $96,917 | 21% |
| Appleton, WI | $92,590 | 350 | $100,185 | 16% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $92,580 | 60 | $97,821 | 17% |
| Detroit, MI | $92,550 | 3,870 | $92,275 | 20% |
| Lewiston, ME | $92,470 | 40 | $97,608 | 21% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $92,450 | 190 | $96,831 | 22% |
| Canton, OH | $92,360 | 190 | $103,304 | 15% |
| Alexandria, LA | $92,290 | 60 | $107,707 | 13% |
| Dothan, AL | $92,280 | 80 | $110,076 | 16% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $92,230 | 210 | $105,139 | 22% |
| Glens Falls, NY | $92,160 | 80 | $97,148 | 19% |
| St. George, UT | $91,850 | 170 | $94,378 | 24% |
| Williamsport, PA | $91,770 | 140 | $99,372 | 14% |
| Owensboro, KY | $91,430 | 40 | $103,182 | 16% |
| Elmira, NY | $91,370 | 40 | $96,792 | 15% |
| Utica, NY | $91,370 | 140 | $98,589 | 19% |
| Youngstown, OH | $91,320 | 160 | $104,492 | 14% |
| Richmond, VA | $91,300 | 1,680 | $93,298 | 22% |
| Grand Island, NE | $90,910 | 40 | $104,908 | 18% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $90,840 | 470 | $96,722 | 19% |
| Roanoke, VA | $90,720 | 250 | $96,904 | 19% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $90,330 | 4,690 | $87,431 | 23% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $90,150 | 120 | $96,271 | 23% |
| Weirton, WV | $90,120 | 40 | $101,231 | 11% |
| Jacksonville, NC | $90,070 | 80 | $97,812 | 21% |
| Pocatello, ID | $89,610 | 90 | $100,792 | 14% |
| Morgantown, WV | $89,560 | 80 | $95,968 | 18% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $89,250 | – | $90,019 | 27% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $88,980 | 60 | $101,537 | 18% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $88,920 | 250 | $96,055 | 17% |
| Cheyenne, WY | $88,790 | 230 | $92,019 | 21% |
| Sioux City, IA | $88,460 | 60 | $102,320 | 18% |
| San Antonio, TX | $88,290 | 2,230 | $93,216 | 19% |
| Atlanta, GA | $88,000 | 6,270 | $87,949 | 25% |
| Gulfport, MS | $87,960 | 320 | $97,727 | 19% |
| Evansville, IN | $87,900 | 180 | $96,036 | 15% |
| Salisbury, MD | $87,710 | 40 | $91,731 | 27% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $87,600 | 140 | $97,105 | 20% |
| Beckley, WV | $87,520 | 60 | $99,039 | 14% |
| Kingsport, TN | $87,510 | 200 | $101,230 | 18% |
| Lafayette, IN | $87,380 | 90 | $93,525 | 20% |
| Sherman, TX | $87,360 | 70 | $93,163 | 19% |
| Longview, TX | $87,090 | 180 | $97,324 | 16% |
| Hinesville, GA | $86,790 | 30 | $92,396 | 24% |
| North Port, FL | $86,170 | 450 | $84,136 | 29% |
| Wausau, WI | $85,790 | 90 | $92,595 | 13% |
| Janesville, WI | $85,740 | 150 | $91,502 | 18% |
| Bay City, MI | $85,690 | 50 | $93,221 | 14% |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $85,490 | 50 | $97,134 | 18% |
| Bangor, ME | $85,300 | 150 | $88,386 | 21% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $84,990 | 730 | $83,039 | 26% |
| Tyler, TX | $84,960 | 250 | $92,192 | 19% |
| Bozeman, MT | $84,730 | 280 | $82,655 | 31% |
| Mansfield, OH | $84,700 | 40 | $95,306 | 13% |
| Wheeling, WV | $84,440 | 100 | $95,604 | 12% |
| Missoula, MT | $84,420 | 290 | $87,532 | 23% |
| Wichita, KS | $84,310 | 540 | $94,788 | 17% |
| Provo, UT | $84,180 | 680 | $85,695 | 25% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $84,170 | 350 | $91,446 | 22% |
| Columbia, MO | $83,950 | 130 | $93,864 | 21% |
| Miami, FL | $83,750 | 6,850 | $73,365 | 38% |
| Lawton, OK | $83,650 | 50 | $97,334 | 16% |
| Macon, GA | $83,620 | 130 | $94,456 | 17% |
| St. Joseph, MO | $83,510 | 40 | $96,675 | 14% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $83,420 | 50 | $85,108 | 28% |
| Little Rock, AR | $83,030 | 580 | $92,912 | 18% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $82,960 | 450 | $90,813 | 23% |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $82,870 | 130 | $90,427 | 16% |
| Springfield, MO | $82,800 | 350 | $93,470 | 18% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $82,760 | 230 | $89,057 | 19% |
| Johnson City, TN | $82,470 | 110 | $93,793 | 22% |
| Flint, MI | $82,100 | 190 | $88,247 | 15% |
| Warner Robins, GA | $82,080 | 160 | $87,516 | 22% |
| College Station, TX | $82,020 | 250 | $90,180 | 22% |
| Jonesboro, AR | $81,960 | 30 | $95,440 | 18% |
| Lakeland, FL | $81,840 | 470 | $84,249 | 27% |
| Lubbock, TX | $81,840 | 250 | $89,622 | 20% |
| Tucson, AZ | $81,490 | 760 | $84,100 | 22% |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $81,190 | 30 | $94,321 | 15% |
| Saginaw, MI | $81,190 | 170 | $89,327 | 16% |
| Ocala, FL | $81,080 | 130 | $85,138 | 24% |
| Great Falls, MT | $80,980 | 110 | $83,618 | 21% |
| Texarkana, TX | $80,780 | 60 | $96,153 | 19% |
| Logan, UT | $80,710 | 140 | $84,137 | 21% |
| Lebanon, PA | $80,550 | 40 | $86,414 | 22% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $79,400 | 170 | $87,204 | 22% |
| Erie, PA | $79,370 | 130 | $87,268 | 17% |
| McAllen, TX | $79,370 | 350 | $92,404 | 17% |
| Joplin, MO | $79,220 | 170 | $92,419 | 19% |
| Valdosta, GA | $79,160 | 50 | $89,678 | 20% |
| El Paso, TX | $79,090 | 550 | $87,964 | 23% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $79,070 | 60 | $84,029 | 23% |
| Gadsden, AL | $78,830 | 40 | $92,034 | 16% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $78,770 | 70 | $83,010 | 26% |
| Odessa, TX | $78,660 | 130 | $83,774 | 24% |
| Victoria, TX | $78,510 | 50 | $87,390 | 18% |
| Lewiston, ID | $78,090 | 80 | $85,663 | 23% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $77,980 | 340 | $88,639 | 16% |
| Gainesville, GA | $77,950 | 180 | $80,555 | 26% |
| Brownsville, TX | $77,720 | 170 | $90,398 | 23% |
| Columbus, GA | $77,600 | 170 | $86,902 | 21% |
| Johnstown, PA | $77,550 | 190 | $90,249 | 14% |
| Athens, GA | $76,650 | 140 | $82,116 | 28% |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $76,640 | 90 | $85,619 | 20% |
| Laredo, TX | $76,620 | 130 | $88,114 | 18% |
| Brunswick, GA | $76,180 | 40 | $86,856 | 26% |
| Amarillo, TX | $75,910 | 150 | $82,673 | 21% |
| Albany, GA | $75,890 | 80 | $86,564 | 17% |
| Goldsboro, NC | $75,620 | 80 | $85,483 | 24% |
| Waco, TX | $75,120 | 200 | $81,167 | 23% |
| San Angelo, TX | $74,970 | 120 | $81,090 | 21% |
| Abilene, TX | $73,550 | 150 | $81,393 | 32% |
| Michigan City, IN | $72,720 | 70 | $79,318 | 20% |
| Parkersburg, WV | $70,250 | 80 | $80,686 | 18% |
What the median civil engineer salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $100,840 |
| Month | $8,403 |
| Every two weeks | $3,878 |
| Week | $1,939 |
| Hour | $48.48 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a civil engineer: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +6.4% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 22,700 |
| Self-employed | 1.9% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical engineer | $120,630 | Bachelor's degree |
| Chemical engineer | $125,040 | Bachelor's degree |
| Computer hardware engineer | $161,740 | Bachelor's degree |
| Aerospace engineer | $134,960 | Bachelor's degree |
| Petroleum engineer | $144,910 | Bachelor's degree |
| Architect | $99,280 | Bachelor's degree |
| Mechanical engineer | $104,110 | Bachelor's degree |
| Surveyor | $75,440 | Bachelor's degree |
Questions about civil engineer pay
How much does a civil engineer make an hour?
The median is $48.48 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $32.81 and the top 10% over $78.47.
How much does a civil engineer make a month?
About $8,403 a month before taxes at the median salary of $100,840, or $3,878 every two weeks.
What state pays civil engineers the most?
California, with a median of $122,500. Alaska ($114,730), Washington ($110,000), Massachusetts ($106,730) and Louisiana ($105,380) follow.
Where do civil engineers make the most after cost of living?
Louisiana: its median of $105,380 is worth $119,469 at typical US prices. Mississippi, Nebraska and New Mexico come next.
How much do entry-level civil engineers make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of civil engineers earn under $68,240 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $79,930, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a civil engineer?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 17-2051 (Civil Engineers). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.