Civil Engineer Salary in 2026
Civil engineers plan, design, and oversee construction of infrastructure projects including roads, bridges, and water systems. They ensure structures meet safety and regulatory standards.
Median Salary
$88,000
$7,333/mo
Entry Level
$62,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$116,000
experienced
Job Growth
+7%
10-yr outlook
Civil Engineer Overview
Civil engineers plan, design, and oversee construction of infrastructure projects including roads, bridges, and water systems. They ensure structures meet safety and regulatory standards.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
1-4 years
Industry
Engineering
Total Jobs (US)
320K
5-Year Growth
+13%
Category
Engineering
Hourly Rate
$42.31/hr
Monthly Pay
$7,333
Civil Engineer Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Civil Engineer salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Civil Engineer Salary
$98,000
$8,167/month · $3,769/biweekly · $47.12/hr
Civil Engineer Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Civil Engineer field.
Entry-level Civil Engineers earn around $62,000, while the top 10% earn $130,000 or more.
Top Paying States for Civil Engineers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $104,000 | +$16,000 |
| New York | $101,000 | +$13,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $88,000 | $0 |
| Texas | $86,000 | $-2,000 |
| Florida | $86,000 | $-2,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Civil Engineers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $104,000 | +$16,000 |
| Los Angeles | $99,000 | +$11,000 |
| Miami | $90,000 | +$2,000 |
| Philadelphia | $90,000 | +$2,000 |
| Houston | $87,000 | $-1,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Civil Engineer Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Civil Engineer from entry level to expert.
$62,000
0-2 years
$89,000
3-7 years
$116,000
8-14 years
$144,000
15+ years
Related Engineering Jobs
Civil Engineer Salary FAQ
Methodology & Data Sources — Civil Engineer Salary
How we calculate Civil Engineer salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $88,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Civil Engineer in the Engineering sector.
- Entry-level ($62,000) and senior-level ($116,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +7% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 320K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 13% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Engineering sector wages.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $88,000.
Authoritative US data sources for Civil Engineer compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Civil Engineer job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections — 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index — quarterly compensation trend data for Engineering
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Civil Engineer salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (AutoCAD, Structural Analysis, Project Management), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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