How much does a civil engineer make?
The median civil engineer in the United States earns $100,840 per year, about $48.48 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all civil engineers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 17-2051.
Civil engineer salary range
Pay for civil engineers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $68,240 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $163,220. The average (mean) wage of $108,670 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $68,240 | $32.81 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $79,930 | $38.43 | |
| Median (50th) | $100,840 | $48.48 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $129,680 | $62.34 | |
| 90th percentile | $163,220 | $78.47 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for civil engineers (SOC 17-2051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Civil engineer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Civil engineers earn the most in California at $122,500 a year, and the least in Georgia at $84,240. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $122,500 | 55,180 |
| Alaska | $114,730 | 1,670 |
| Washington | $110,000 | 12,590 |
| Massachusetts | $106,730 | 9,450 |
| Louisiana | $105,380 | 3,780 |
| Oregon | $105,250 | 4,890 |
| New Jersey | $104,660 | 6,900 |
| Nevada | $104,310 | 3,560 |
| New Mexico | $103,900 | 1,350 |
| District of Columbia | $103,880 | 1,650 |
| New York | $103,760 | 17,500 |
| Connecticut | $103,150 | 4,370 |
| Nebraska | $103,150 | 2,360 |
| South Carolina | $101,600 | 7,180 |
| Minnesota | $101,480 | 4,710 |
| Colorado | $101,420 | 13,290 |
| Kentucky | $100,930 | 2,690 |
| North Carolina | $100,730 | 12,810 |
| Maryland | $100,680 | 5,240 |
| Delaware | $100,220 | 920 |
| Mississippi | $100,170 | 1,770 |
| Illinois | $99,760 | 13,910 |
| Rhode Island | $99,300 | 1,270 |
| Alabama | $99,010 | 5,370 |
| Oklahoma | $98,760 | 2,180 |
| New Hampshire | $98,710 | 1,620 |
| South Dakota | $98,700 | 1,440 |
| Florida | $98,570 | 23,750 |
| Indiana | $98,270 | 4,030 |
| North Dakota | $98,190 | 1,380 |
| Idaho | $98,030 | 2,630 |
| Pennsylvania | $97,850 | 15,870 |
| Maine | $97,820 | 1,240 |
| Virginia | $97,120 | 11,350 |
| Kansas | $96,880 | 2,880 |
| Texas | $96,860 | 34,870 |
| Utah | $96,830 | 5,670 |
| Iowa | $96,430 | 2,500 |
| Ohio | $96,220 | 10,560 |
| Tennessee | $95,910 | 5,790 |
| Vermont | $95,600 | 770 |
| Wisconsin | $94,600 | 7,410 |
| Hawaii | $94,280 | 2,640 |
| Montana | $93,070 | 1,870 |
| Missouri | $92,750 | 5,760 |
| Michigan | $92,100 | 7,760 |
| Wyoming | $90,590 | 990 |
| Arizona | $89,660 | 5,940 |
| West Virginia | $86,930 | 1,300 |
| Arkansas | $85,020 | 1,870 |
| Georgia | $84,240 | 9,400 |
State median wages for civil engineers (SOC 17-2051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for civil engineers
The BLS projects employment of civil engineers to grow 6.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 380,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 405,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 22,700 openings a year for civil engineers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a civil engineer
The typical entry-level education for civil engineers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a civil engineer earns
Discipline, licensure (such as a PE license), industry, and region drive pay. Senior, licensed engineers in high demand fields and expensive metros earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $122,500) and the lowest (Georgia, $84,240) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 367,840 people work as civil engineers in the United States. At $100,840 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Civil engineer salary FAQ
How much does a civil engineer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a civil engineer is $48.48. The middle half of civil engineers earn between $38.43 and $62.34 per hour.
What is the highest civil engineer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of civil engineers earn more than $163,220 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a civil engineer make a year?
The median annual salary for a civil engineer is $100,840. The average (mean) wage of $108,670 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a civil engineer a well paid job?
At $100,840 a year, a civil engineer earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 367,840 people work as civil engineers in the United States.
Which state pays civil engineers the most?
California has the highest median salary for civil engineers at $122,500 a year. Alaska ($114,730) and Washington ($110,000) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a civil engineer a good career?
Employment of civil engineers is projected to grow 6.4% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 22,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a civil engineer?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for civil engineers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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