Civil engineer salaries in the United States

What civil engineering salaries look like nationally

In May 2025, civil engineers in the United States had a mean annual wage of $108,670 and a median of $100,840. The median is the midpoint: half of reported wages were lower and half were higher. The mean is higher, which indicates that higher wages pull the average upward. For owners setting pay, the median is a useful reference point, but it is not a target that fits every role or firm.

The national figures describe workers across the country and across industries. They are a broad reference, not a local market quote or a recommended salary for a particular position. Use them alongside the responsibilities, experience, licensing, and location relevant to each job.

The wage range and pay bands

Annual wages for civil engineers ranged from $68,240 at the 10th percentile to $163,220 at the 90th percentile, a spread of $94,980. The 10th percentile means 10 percent of reported wages were at or below that amount; the 90th means 90 percent were at or below it. Put another way, most reported wages fell between those two points, with some below and some above.

This wide range is a reason to structure pay bands with room for differences in job scope and capability. The percentiles can help mark reference points within a band, but they do not define the band by themselves. A firm might use lower points as context for developing employees and higher points as context for people with greater responsibility or scarce expertise. Set placement using the work performed and the employee's demonstrated qualifications, not tenure alone. Check that the band also makes sense for your location and the firm's market.

How technicians compare

Civil engineering technologists and technicians had a national mean annual wage of $68,990 and a median of $64,950. Their 10th-to-90th-percentile range was $44,220 to $98,980. These figures are lower than the civil engineer figures, but the two occupations have different scopes of work. Compare them as separate job families, and define responsibilities clearly so that pay reflects the work expected in each role.

Using percentiles for EIT, PE, and senior PE pay

Percentiles are reference points for judgment, not automatic salary assignments. For an EIT, consider the level of supervision required, the complexity of assigned work, and how consistently the person applies engineering fundamentals. For a PE, weigh independent technical judgment, project responsibility, client interaction, and the license's role in the firm's work. For a senior PE, assess leadership, risk and quality oversight, business development, and responsibility for major client or project outcomes.

As responsibility and independent contribution grow, an owner may look toward higher points in the national distribution. That does not mean every PE should earn above the median or every senior PE should be near the 90th percentile. Use the data to frame a pay discussion, then account for local labor conditions, role scope, performance, and internal equity. Revisit the framework when responsibilities change.

What these wage figures include

BLS OEWS figures report wages. They are base wage benchmarks and exclude bonuses and benefits. When comparing total compensation or setting an offer, account for those items separately.

Technicians nationally

Civil engineering technologists and technicians here earn a median of $64,950, with 68,520 employed. That is the reference point for drafters, CAD technicians and field staff who support your engineers.

Salaries by state

Salary by role: comp planning guide | Salary and billing rate calculator

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 17-2051 Civil Engineers and 17-3022 Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians. bls.gov/oes. Figures are base wages and exclude bonuses and benefits. Cells BLS suppresses show as not published.