Structural Engineer Salary in 2026
Structural engineers analyze and design structures to ensure they can safely withstand loads and environmental forces. They work on buildings, bridges, towers, and other structures.
Median Salary
$100,840
$8,403/mo
Entry Level
$70,400
starting pay
Senior Level
$134,500
experienced
Job Growth
+6%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Civil Engineers (SOC 17-2051, the closest published occupation to Structural Engineer) at a national median of $100,840 per year (mean $108,670), or $48.48 per hour, with 367,840 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Structural Engineer Overview
Structural engineers analyze and design structures to ensure they can safely withstand loads and environmental forces. They work on buildings, bridges, towers, and other structures.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
2-5 years
Industry
Engineering
Total Jobs (US)
368K
5-Year Growth
+13%
Category
Engineering
Hourly Rate
$48.48/hr
Monthly Pay
$8,403
Structural Engineer Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Structural Engineer salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Structural Engineer Salary
$113,000
$9,417/month · $4,346/biweekly · $54.33/hr
Structural Engineer Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Structural Engineer field.
Entry-level Structural Engineers earn around $70,400, while the top 10% earn $152,350 or more.
Top Paying States for Structural Engineers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $119,000 | +$18,160 |
| New York | $116,000 | +$15,160 |
| Illinois | $105,000 | +$4,160 |
| Texas | $99,000 | $-1,840 |
| Florida | $99,000 | $-1,840 |
Top Paying Cities for Structural Engineers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San FranciscoBLS metro | $130,160 | +$29,320 |
| New YorkBLS metro | $107,330 | +$6,490 |
| HoustonBLS metro | $100,950 | +$110 |
| ChicagoBLS metro | $100,160 | $-680 |
| MiamiBLS metro | $83,750 | $-17,090 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for Civil Engineers in that city's metropolitan statistical area (5 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Structural Engineer Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Structural Engineer.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Structural Engineer Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Structural Engineer from entry level to expert.
$70,400
0-2 years
$102,000
3-7 years
$134,500
8-14 years
$170,200
15+ years
Related Engineering Jobs
Structural Engineer Salary FAQ
How much does a Structural Engineer make in 2026?
The median salary for a Structural Engineer in the United States is $100,840 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Civil Engineers (SOC 17-2051); the mean is $108,670. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $70,400, senior professionals around $134,500, and top earners at $170,200 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Structural Engineer?
A Structural Engineer typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 2-5 years of experience. Key skills include SAP2000, ETABS, Seismic Design. Relevant certifications such as PE License or SE License can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Structural Engineers?
The job market for Structural Engineers is projected to grow by 6% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 368K Structural Engineer positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 13%, reflecting steady demand for this role.
Which states pay Structural Engineers the most?
The highest-paying states for Structural Engineers include California, New York, Texas. In California, the median salary is approximately $119,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Structural Engineer salary?
To increase your Structural Engineer salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like SAP2000 and ETABS. Pursue certifications such as PE License. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like San Francisco. With 2-5 years of experience, you can progress from $70,400 to $134,500 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Structural Engineer Salary
How we calculate Structural Engineer salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Civil Engineers (SOC 17-2051), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $100,840, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Civil Engineers; BLS mean $108,670; BLS hourly median $48.48.
- Entry-level ($70,400) and senior-level ($134,500) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +6% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 367,840 Civil Engineers jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 13% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Engineering sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $100,840; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Structural Engineer compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Structural 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: Structural Engineer salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (SAP2000, ETABS, Seismic Design), 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 Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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