How Much Does a Civil Engineer Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$100,840
Civil engineers in the U.S. earn a median of $100,840 a year, or $48.48 an hour. Half of civil engineers earn more than $100,840 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $163,220.
Pay percentiles for civil engineers
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $32.81 | $68,240 |
| 25th | $38.43 | $79,930 |
| 50th (median) | $48.48 | $100,840 |
| 75th | $62.34 | $129,680 |
| 90th | $78.47 | $163,220 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Civil Engineers (SOC 17-2051). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for civil engineers
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $122,500 | $58.89 | +21% |
| Alaska | $114,730 | $55.16 | +14% |
| Washington | $110,000 | $52.89 | +9% |
| Massachusetts | $106,730 | $51.31 | +6% |
| Louisiana | $105,380 | $50.66 | +5% |
| Oregon | $105,250 | $50.60 | +4% |
| New Jersey | $104,660 | $50.32 | +4% |
| Nevada | $104,310 | $50.15 | +3% |
| New Mexico | $103,900 | $49.95 | +3% |
| District of Columbia | $103,880 | $49.94 | +3% |
| United States | $100,840 | $48.48 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many civil engineers are there?
BLS counts about 367,840 civil engineers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (55,180), Texas (34,870) and Florida (23,750).
The mean (average) annual wage is $108,670, higher than the median of $100,840.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $8,403
- Biweekly
- $3,878
- Weekly
- $1,939
- Daily (8 hours)
- $388
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do civil engineers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for civil engineers is $48.48. The middle 50% earn between $38.43 and $62.34 an hour.
Which state pays civil engineers the most?
California has the highest median wage for civil engineers at $122,500, +21% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for civil engineers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of civil engineers earn less than $68,240 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.