Salary guide · Civil engineering
Civil engineering salaries in 2026
Civil engineers at US mid-market firms earn $68,000 to $88,000 base in their first three years, and up to $335,000 at the top as a civil engineering principal or partner. Of the 7,331 open civil engineering jobs in our database, 2,260 list an annual pay range. BLS puts the national median at $100,840 for civil engineers (May 2025).
Roles
7from civil EIT to civil engineering principal or partner
Postings with pay
2,260of 7,331 open civil engineering jobs
BLS national median
$101kCivil engineers, SOC 17-2051, May 2025
The ladder
Pay by role
Base salary for each rung, with what live postings offer underneath. Open a role for its recent postings.
| Role | Chart | Recruiter band | Posted median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil EIT0 to 3 yrs | $68k to $88k | $81k305 postings | |
| Civil engineer (PE)3 to 6 yrs | $90k to $118k | $100k431 postings | |
| Senior civil engineer6 to 10 yrs | $115k to $148k | $130k689 postings | |
| Civil project manager | $130k to $168k | $140k276 postings | |
| Senior civil project manager or associate | $160k to $205k | $175k263 postings | |
| Civil department lead | $180k to $245k | $174k57 postings | |
| Civil engineering principal or partner | $220k to $335k | $195k49 postings | |
$50k$100k$150k$200k$250k$300k$350k | |||
- What moves it
- Land development, transportation, water resources and DOT work. A PE license is typically worth 8 to 15% over unlicensed peers.
- Bonus
- Bonus typically adds 5 to 15% for senior roles and up to 25% at principal and partner level.
- Basis
- Base salary at US mid-market AEC firms (40 to 400 people), before bonus, equity and project incentive pay.
BLS benchmark
Civil engineering pay by city
What all employers pay, from the May 2025 federal wage survey. One median covers every level, so read it against the middle of the ladder.
- 10th percentile
- $68,240
- 25th percentile
- $79,930
- Median
- $100,840
- 75th percentile
- $129,680
- 90th percentile
- $163,220
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Annual wages, all employers, before bonus and overtime.
| Metro | Median |
|---|---|
| United States | $100,840 |
| San Francisco | $130k+29% vs US |
| Seattle | $116k+16% vs US |
| Los Angeles | $109k+8% vs US |
| Boston | $108k+7% vs US |
| New York | $107k+6% vs US |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul | $105k+4% vs US |
| Denver | $105k+4% vs US |
| Charlotte | $102k+2% vs US |
| Indianapolis | $102k+1% vs US |
| Washington, DC | $102k+1% vs US |
| Raleigh | $101k+1% vs US |
| Houston | $101kSame as US |
| Tampa | $101kSame as US |
| Austin | $100kSame as US |
| Chicago | $100k−1% vs US |
| Columbus | $99k−2% vs US |
| Kansas City | $99k−2% vs US |
| Nashville | $99k−2% vs US |
| Dallas-Fort Worth | $97k−4% vs US |
| Phoenix | $90k−10% vs US |
| Atlanta | $88k−13% vs US |
Other ladders
Salaries in other disciplines
Questions
Questions about this pay
How much do civil engineers make in 2026?
Civil engineers at US mid-market firms earn $68,000 to $88,000 base in their first three years, and up to $335,000 at the top as a civil engineering principal or partner. Of the 7,331 open civil engineering jobs in our database, 2,260 list an annual pay range. BLS puts the national median at $100,840 for civil engineers (May 2025).
Which cities pay civil engineers the most?
Of the 21 metros on this page, BLS reports the highest median pay for civil engineers in San Francisco ($130k), Seattle ($116k) and Los Angeles ($109k), and the lowest in Atlanta ($88k). The national median is $100,840.
Does a PE license raise pay?
Yes. A PE license is typically worth 8 to 15% over unlicensed peers.
Do these figures include bonus?
No. Base salary at US mid-market AEC firms (40 to 400 people), before bonus, equity and project incentive pay. Bonus typically adds 5 to 15% for senior roles and up to 25% at principal and partner level.
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