Civil Engineer Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · High Demand
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $148,010 | +55.0% | High |
| District of Columbia | $145,145 | +52.0% | High |
| California | $135,596 | +42.0% | High |
| New York | $131,776 | +38.0% | High |
| Alaska | $126,047 | +32.0% | High |
| Massachusetts | $124,137 | +30.0% | High |
| New Jersey | $122,227 | +28.0% | High |
| Washington | $119,362 | +25.0% | High |
| Connecticut | $116,498 | +22.0% | High |
| Maryland | $109,813 | +15.0% | High |
| Rhode Island | $109,813 | +15.0% | High |
| New Hampshire | $108,859 | +14.0% | High |
| Oregon | $106,949 | +12.0% | High |
| Colorado | $105,039 | +10.0% | High |
| Virginia | $105,039 | +10.0% | High |
| Vermont | $103,129 | +8.0% | High |
| Delaware | $100,264 | +5.0% | High |
| Illinois | $100,264 | +5.0% | High |
| Maine | $97,400 | +2.0% | High |
| Nevada | $97,400 | +2.0% | High |
| Minnesota | $95,490 | +0.0% | High |
| Utah | $95,490 | +0.0% | High |
| Arizona | $94,535 | -1.0% | High |
| Pennsylvania | $94,535 | -1.0% | High |
| Florida | $93,580 | -2.0% | High |
| Montana | $90,716 | -5.0% | High |
| Texas | $90,716 | -5.0% | High |
| Georgia | $88,806 | -7.0% | High |
| Idaho | $88,806 | -7.0% | High |
| Wyoming | $88,806 | -7.0% | High |
| North Dakota | $87,851 | -8.0% | High |
| Wisconsin | $87,851 | -8.0% | High |
| North Carolina | $86,896 | -9.0% | High |
| Michigan | $85,941 | -10.0% | High |
| Louisiana | $84,031 | -12.0% | High |
| Nebraska | $84,031 | -12.0% | High |
| New Mexico | $84,031 | -12.0% | High |
| Ohio | $84,031 | -12.0% | High |
| South Carolina | $84,031 | -12.0% | High |
| Tennessee | $84,031 | -12.0% | High |
| Alabama | $83,076 | -13.0% | High |
| Missouri | $83,076 | -13.0% | High |
| South Dakota | $83,076 | -13.0% | High |
| Iowa | $82,121 | -14.0% | High |
| Indiana | $81,166 | -15.0% | High |
| Kansas | $81,166 | -15.0% | High |
| Oklahoma | $80,212 | -16.0% | High |
| Arkansas | $79,257 | -17.0% | High |
| Kentucky | $79,257 | -17.0% | High |
| Mississippi | $76,392 | -20.0% | High |
| West Virginia | $74,482 | -22.0% | High |
A Civil Engineer's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Civil Engineers typically earn $63,652–$80,738 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $119,181–$133,225 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Civil Engineer role currently has high demand in the job market with a 3.0% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Engineering sector.
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What is the average salary for a Civil Engineer?The average salary for a Civil Engineer in the United States is $95,490 per year, with a median of $89,940.
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What is the starting salary for a Civil Engineer?Entry-level Civil Engineers typically earn between $63,652 and $80,738 per year depending on location and employer.
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What state pays Civil Engineers the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Civil Engineers the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
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How much does a Civil Engineer make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $95,490, a Civil Engineer earns approximately $45.91 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
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Is Civil Engineer a good career in 2026?Yes — the Civil Engineer role has high demand with 3.0% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.