Salary · Civil engineering
Civil department lead salary in 2026
A civil department lead earns $180,000 to $245,000 base at a US mid-market AEC firm, according to 2026 recruiter placement bands. The 57 civil department lead postings in our database that list pay have a median of $174,000, and the middle half run $144,000 to $193,000.
Recruiter band
$180–245kbase
Posted median
$174k57 postings with pay
Middle half of postings
$144–193ka quarter post below, a quarter above
The ladder
Where this sits in civil engineering
One rung up, a civil engineering principal or partner earns $220k to $335k.
| 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 leadThis role | $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.
Posted now
Recent civil department lead jobs with pay
From employer career pages, newest first, one per firm. Each link opens the firm's own posting.
- $110k to $110k / yr
- $165k to $210k / yr
- $150k to $180k / yr
- $47k to $47k / yr
- $175k to $220k / yr
BLS benchmark
What all employers pay
The May 2025 federal wage survey covers every level of the occupation at once, so its median sits near the middle of the ladder. City medians are on the civil engineering page.
- 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.
Questions
Questions about this pay
How much do civil department leads make?
A civil department lead earns $180,000 to $245,000 base at a US mid-market AEC firm, according to 2026 recruiter placement bands. The 57 civil department lead postings in our database that list pay have a median of $174,000, and the middle half run $144,000 to $193,000.
How does a civil department lead earn more?
One rung up, a civil engineering principal or partner earns $220k to $335k. A PE license is typically worth 8 to 15% over unlicensed peers.
Does this 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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