Are you considering a career in civil engineering in Pennsylvania, or wondering if your current compensation aligns with market standards?
We’ve conducted a comprehensive analysis of 899 civil engineering positions across Pennsylvania to provide insights into the civil engineer salary landscape. This article details civil engineer wage data and the Civil Engineer Salary in Pennsylvania for 2025, exploring how much civil engineers make and the key factors that influence civil engineering salaries as revealed by the data.
Average Civil Engineer Salary in Pennsylvania
The median civil engineer salary in Pennsylvania is $100,000 USD per year or $48.08 USD per hour. This figure provides insight into civil engineer pay in the Keystone State and serves as a benchmark for civil engineering professionals across the commonwealth, whether they’re involved in building construction, transportation engineering, or other specialisations.
Salary Range Overview
Factors Influencing Civil Engineering Salaries
Educational Level
Here’s where it gets interesting: while three-quarters of positions require only a bachelor’s degree, pursuing a master’s degree results in an average salary increase of over $12,000 annually. This 12.7% premium suggests that graduate education offers a solid return on investment for civil engineers in Pennsylvania, particularly when considering the state’s relatively lower cost of living compared to neighbouring markets like New York or Washington D.C. This applies to various specialisations, including structural engineering and transportation engineering.
Years of Experience
The data reveals a crucial career inflexion point: civil engineers see a substantial 22% salary jump between years 4 and 5, crossing the six-figure threshold. This suggests that the 5-year mark represents when engineers transition from project support roles to leading their own projects—a critical milestone for career advancement in Pennsylvania’s infrastructure sector, including areas like building construction and sewage systems.
| Years of Experience | Percentage of Jobs | Number of Positions |
|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 17.41% | 133 |
| 1 year | 4.45% | 34 |
| 2 years | 10.86% | 83 |
| 3 years | 8.64% | 66 |
| 4 years | 8.51% | 65 |
| 5 years | 21.07% | 161 |
| 6 years | 5.10% | 39 |
| 7 years | 4.58% | 35 |
| 8 years | 8.25% | 63 |
| 10+ years | 8.64% | 66 |
Seniority Level
The progression from internship to management represents a staggering 237% increase in compensation. But what if you’re already at the median? The jump from mid-level to senior civil engineer positions offers a $9,000 annual increase, making the push for promotion particularly worthwhile in Pennsylvania’s competitive market. For those aiming even higher, the role of chief civil engineer often comes with additional responsibilities and compensation.
Remote Work Status
Here’s a trend that’s reshaping the industry:
| Work Status | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Number of Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Remote | $114,432 | 26 |
| Hybrid | $106,067 | 254 |
| Onsite | $95,699 | 619 |
Remote civil engineers earn nearly 20% more than their on-site counterparts. While only 2.9% of positions are fully remote, the 28% offering hybrid arrangements suggests Pennsylvania employers are adapting to retain talent in a competitive market. This trend applies across various specialisations, including structural engineers and those working on sewage systems.
Location
| City | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Coraopolis | $159,000 | $76.45 |
| Kennett Square | $144,400 | $69.42 |
| Denver | $130,000 | $62.50 |
| Conshohocken | $124,950 | $60.07 |
| Middletown | $122,200 | $58.75 |
| Reading | $117,428 | $56.46 |
| Homer City | $117,000 | $56.25 |
| McKees Rocks | $115,000 | $55.29 |
| York | $115,000 | $55.29 |
| Canonsburg | $114,308 | $54.96 |
Coraopolis, near Pittsburgh International Airport, surprisingly leads with salaries 59% above the state median. This premium likely reflects the concentration of infrastructure consulting firms serving airport expansion projects and the region’s ongoing infrastructure modernisation efforts. The Philadelphia suburbs (Kennett Square, Conshohocken) also command premium wages, driven by proximity to major construction projects and a higher cost of living. These areas offer opportunities for various specialisations, including transportation engineers and those involved in building construction.
Top Paying Companies in Pennsylvania
Understanding which employers offer the most competitive civil engineer salaries can significantly impact your career trajectory:
| Company | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Goodwin Recruiting | $152,500 | $73.32 |
| Toole Design Group | $150,000 | $72.12 |
| Randstad USA | $140,000 | $67.31 |
| CyberCoders | $138,500 | $66.59 |
| Rise Technical | $135,000 | $64.90 |
| Stantec | $132,750 | $63.82 |
| Campos EPC | $130,000 | $62.50 |
| Constellation | $126,833 | $60.98 |
| New Leaf Energy | $126,465 | $60.80 |
| Sargent & Lundy | $126,188 | $60.67 |
These organisations span diverse sectors from specialised recruiting firms to engineering consultancies and energy companies. The prominence of recruiting firms at the top (Goodwin, Randstad, CyberCoders) suggests contract positions often command premium rates—sometimes 50% above direct-hire roles. Traditional engineering firms like Stantec and Sargent & Lundy offer competitive packages while providing more stable, long-term career paths for various roles, including senior civil engineers and those specialising in structural engineering.
How to Maximise Your Salary Potential
Based on our comprehensive data analysis, we recommend the following strategies to optimise your civil engineer salary in Pennsylvania:
- Consider Graduate Education – A master’s degree yields an immediate 12.7% salary premium
- Target High-Growth Regions – Western Pennsylvania (Coraopolis, Pittsburgh area) and Philadelphia suburbs offer premium wages
- Develop Specialised Skills – Focus on emerging areas like sustainable infrastructure, smart cities, and climate resilience
Key Skills to Develop:
- Technical Competencies: AutoCAD Civil 3D, Revit, MicroStation, HEC-RAS for water resources
- Emerging Technologies: GIS applications, drone surveying, BIM coordination
Explore our detailed article on the Civil Engineering Skills Required in 2025
Future Trends in Civil Engineering Salaries
Pennsylvania’s civil engineering field is evolving rapidly with the influx of federal infrastructure funding:
We know job searching can be overwhelming, especially when balancing technical growth with salary expectations. The good news? Pennsylvania’s infrastructure needs are creating unprecedented opportunities for civil engineers willing to adapt and grow, whether in building construction, transportation engineering, or other specialisations.
The data presented in this article was compiled through an analysis of 899 publicly available civil engineering salaries in Pennsylvania. Salaries, required education levels, experience expectations, seniority titles, and locations were extracted and analyzed to identify trends and calculate average and median figures.
Conclusion
The civil engineering profession in Pennsylvania offers strong earning potential, with the median civil engineer salary at $100,000 annually. While this represents solid middle-class income in most Pennsylvania markets, strategic career moves can significantly boost your earnings.
Remember: your value extends beyond technical skills. Engineers who combine technical expertise with project management capabilities, embrace new technologies, and position themselves in growth markets will find themselves well-compensated in Pennsylvania’s evolving infrastructure landscape. Whether you’re aiming to become a senior civil engineer, chief civil engineer, or specialise in areas like structural engineering or sewage systems, there are ample opportunities for growth and advancement.
Frequently Asked Questions
