Breaking Down the Numbers: The Average Income of Civil Engineers

Key Takeaways:

• Civil engineering is all about designing and building infrastructure, with specialties in areas such as construction, geotechnical, structural, and transportation engineering.
• The median salary for civil engineers in 2023 was $95,890 with the highest-paying percentile earning over $150,640.
• Education, experience, location, and industry can all affect how much civil engineers make.
• Civil engineers in California, New York, Alaska, Louisiana, and Massachusetts earn some of the highest salaries.

Flickr user Lawrence Wang

Are you currently in school for civil engineering or considering it? While you may be interested in the career, you might also wonder, “How much do civil engineers make?” While there’s more to a career than just a paycheck, knowing your potential earnings can help you figure out if this path is right for you—and what to expect if you do go for it. In this guide, we will cover:

• What civil engineers do
• How much you can make as a civil engineer
• Factors that can affect earnings
• The best colleges for civil engineering
• The job outlook and demand for civil engineers
• Types of civil engineers
• The best-paying jobs

What Do Civil Engineers Do?

When you travel across a bridge or get from point A to point B on a highway safely, you most likely have a civil engineer to thank. That’s because they are the brains behind the design and construction of things we use every day like roads, bridges, water systems, and tunnels. Civil engineers are typically responsible for:

• Analyzing maps, surveys, and soil tests to figure out the best way to build
• Using design software to create plans for roads, water systems, and buildings
• Preparing cost estimates for projects
• Overseeing construction to make sure projects follow the plans and meet safety standards

How Much Can I Make as a Civil Engineer?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average median wage for civil engineers in 2023 was $95,890. The lowest 10% of engineers earned less than $63,220, while the highest 10% earned more than $150,640.

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What Factors Can Affect My Salary?

As it goes with any job, earnings aren’t always the same across the board. Your salary as a civil engineer depends on factors like education, experience, skill set, location, and industry:

Education

Civil engineers will need a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field. Those who pursue graduate-level education and/or a Professional Engineer (PE) license typically have a higher chance of advancing to a higher-paying role, such as a civil engineering manager.

Here are some of the best schools for civil engineering and the median starting salary for their graduates:

1. New Jersey Institute of Technology—$61,555
2. Colorado School of Mines—$69,085
3. Missouri University of Science and Technology—$65,332
4. Clarkson University—$69,497
5. Manhattan University—$70,130

Experience and Skills

In a civil engineering career, your experience and skills can make a big difference in how much you earn. The more experience and skills you have, well—the higher your salary can be:

• Entry-Level: Starting your job fresh out of school will most likely result in your pay being on the lower side, but don’t let that discourage you. In the beginning, you’ll focus on learning the basics and assisting with designs. As your skills grow, so will your paycheck! According to salary.com, the entry-level starting pay is $78,501.
• Mid-Level: As you progress in your field, you’ll take on more responsibilities and learn new skills that can increase your salary. Soft skills like strong communication, organization, and problem-solving abilities, along with proficiency in tools like AutoCAD and Microsoft programs, are all helpful in growing your salary. According to salary.com, the mid-level starting pay is $95,239.
• Senior-Level: Those who earn higher degrees and show expertise in the field may be able to advance into senior-level technical or managerial positions. As a senior engineer, you’ll manage teams and lead more complex projects. According to salary.com, the senior-level starting pay is $113,473.

Location

It’s not just your experience and education that determine your salary; your location can have a big impact on how much you make as a civil engineer. Things like the cost of living, demand for engineers, and the local economy all affect the amount you make.

The five highest-paying states:

1. California: $115,100
2. New York: $113,610
3. Alaska: $110,940
4. Louisiana: $109,770
5. Massachusetts: $108,320

The 10 highest-paying metropolitan areas:

1. San Jose, CA: $129,860
2. San Francisco, CA: $125,990
3. Sacramento, CA: $123,730
4. Redding, CA: $118,620
5. New York, NY: $117,890
6. Hot Springs, AR: $115,180
7. Santa Rosa, CA: $114,350
8. New Orleans, LA: $113,500
9. Napa, CA: $113,160
10. Baton Rouge, LA: $113,120

The five highest-paying nonmetropolitan areas:

1. Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area: $115,620
2. Alaska nonmetropolitan area: $115,080
3. Nevada nonmetropolitan area: $114,460
4. Southwest Mississippi nonmetropolitan area: $113,550
5. Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area: $109,700

Industry

You might earn more or less depending on the industry you work in. Whether you work for the government, a construction company, or a consulting firm, the type of work can vary, and therefore, so can your pay. Here are the top-paying industries as of 2023:

• Federal Government (excluding postal service): $108,680
• Local Government (excluding education and hospitals): $103,920
• Engineering Services: $96,110
• State Government (excluding education and hospitals): $93,390
• Nonresidential Building Construction: $78,890

What Is the Job Outlook for Civil Engineers?

As of 2023, there were 341,800 civil engineers employed in the U.S. and this number is expected to grow by 6% through 2033—which is faster than average for most occupations. This growth is predicted by the demand for new and improved infrastructure that the U.S. invests in. Because of this demand, more civil engineers will likely be needed in the near future.

What Type of Civil Engineer Can I Be?

As a civil engineer, you have the option to choose from different specialties based on your interests. While the general focus for all civil engineering is on improving infrastructure, each industry has its own specific problems to solve. Here are some of the most common types of civil engineers:

• Construction Engineer: These engineers manage construction projects to make sure they’re on schedule and built according to plan. They need to be good at managing resources, arranging schedules, and addressing problems.
• Geotechnical Engineer: These engineers make sure that the ground is stable before a structure is built on it. Geotechnical engineers must also study how soil and rock relate to the need for structural stability. They must know how to run soil tests, analyze geological data, and design solutions for stable structures.
• Structural Engineers: These engineers are responsible for designing and evaluating large, load-bearing projects like buildings, bridges, and dams. They are expected to know which materials to use so that designs are not only safe and functional but also economical.
• Transportation Engineers: These engineers make getting around easier and safer for everyone by planning and creating roads, highways, railways, and airports. They need to have a problem-solving mindset as they figure out the best ways to get people and things from one place to another safely and efficiently.

What Are the Best-Paying Jobs for Civil Engineers?

We’ve rounded up some of the top-paying jobs for civil engineers, along with their average salary, annual job openings, and the projected employment change from 2022-2032:

Is Civil Engineering a Good Career for You?

As a civil engineer, you have the chance to make a real difference in the world by designing and building infrastructures that are strong, safe, and long-lasting. If you enjoy solving problems, creating detailed plans, and bringing ideas to life, civil engineering could be the perfect career for you. Not only can you earn a stable income, but you also have the potential to make life easier and safer for everyone through your innovative designs.

Your engineering journey starts with picking the perfect college. With College Raptor’s College Match tool, you can get matched with colleges based on your GPA, test scores, and location preferences. Get started today—for free!