Are you considering a career in civil engineering in Oklahoma, or looking to benchmark your current compensation against the market?
We have conducted a comprehensive analysis of 277 civil engineering positions across Oklahoma to provide insights into the civil engineer salary landscape. This article details the Civil Engineer Salary in Oklahoma and civil engineer wage trends in for 2025, exploring how much civil engineers make and the key factors that influence compensation as revealed by our data.
Average Civil Engineer Salary in Oklahoma
The median civil engineer salary in Oklahoma is $115,000 USD per year or $55.29 USD per hour. This figure provides a comprehensive benchmark for civil engineering compensation in the state, though it’s worth noting that this appears significantly higher than some industry reports which typically show Oklahoma civil engineer salaries ranging from the mid-$70,000s to mid-$90,000s. For more precise comparisons, professionals may want to consult the ASCE salary calculator or review the latest ASCE salary report for additional context.
Salary Range Overview
Factors Influencing Civil Engineer Pay
Educational Level
Here’s what the data reveals about educational requirements and their impact on civil engineer salaries: While a bachelor’s degree remains the standard entry point for most civil engineering positions in Oklahoma, accounting for nearly 59% of all opportunities, the salary progression with advanced degrees tells an interesting story.
The jump from bachelor’s to master’s degree yields a modest $2,020 annual increase (about 1.8%), which might surprise many considering the significant time and financial investment required for graduate school. However, pursuing a PhD can add an additional $9,415 annually compared to a master’s degree – a more substantial 8.3% increase.
Education Requirements Distribution
What This Means for Your Career: Industry experts consistently recommend that getting a civil engineering degree, particularly a master’s degree, “goes a long way to making candidates stand out and improving earnings,” with the advice to “tailor your MS degree to the specific field you’re interested in working in.” The data suggests that while the immediate financial return might be modest, advanced degrees often open doors to leadership roles and specialized positions that command higher long-term compensation.
Years of Experience
The data reveals a fascinating career progression pattern that every civil engineer in Oklahoma should understand. The most significant salary acceleration occurs between years 1-2 and 4-5, with notable jumps of $10,377 (10.5%) and $2,434 (2.0%) respectively.
Here’s where it gets interesting: The 4-6 year experience range represents a critical earning plateau and breakthrough period. Engineers with 4 years of experience earn $122,566, while those with 6 years command $133,312 – a substantial $10,746 increase over just two years. This pattern suggests that the transition from mid-level to senior engineer, typically occurring around the 4-6 year mark, represents the most lucrative career milestone for civil engineers in Oklahoma.
Career Strategy Insight: If you’re currently in the 2-4 year experience range, this is the optimal time to focus on skill development, pursue your Professional Engineer (PE) license, and position yourself for senior-level responsibilities. Oklahoma recognizes the value of experienced civil engineers, with state officials noting that “the average salary for a civil engineer is over six figures,” and these professionals contribute significantly to the state’s economy by buying homes, paying taxes, and demanding quality education. Accumulating relevant work experience during this period is crucial for maximizing your earning potential.
Seniority Level
The progression from internship to lead position in Oklahoma’s civil engineering market represents a remarkable 252% increase in compensation – one of the strongest career advancement trajectories in professional fields.
What’s particularly noteworthy is the substantial jump from entry-level to mid-level positions: a $48,862 increase (73.7%). This dramatic leap typically occurs around the 3-5 year mark and often coincides with obtaining your PE license – a crucial credential that transforms you from an “Engineer-in-Training” to a fully licensed professional engineer.
The Management Premium: Moving into management roles (Manager and Lead positions) provides an additional $10,000-$20,000 premium over senior individual contributor roles. However, industry experts emphasize that “your salary is positively correlated with the value you can create for your employer,” recommending professionals “obtain your PE license as soon as possible” and “stay updated with industry trends” while becoming “comfortable with negotiating your salary”. Strong organizational skills become increasingly important as you advance to these leadership positions.
Remote Work
| Work Status | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Number of Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Onsite | $109,561 | 192 |
| Remote | $119,279 | 17 |
| Hybrid | $117,819 | 68 |
Surprisingly, our data shows that remote civil engineering positions in Oklahoma command a $9,718 premium (8.9% higher) compared to traditional onsite roles. This finding challenges the conventional wisdom that civil engineering is inherently a field-based profession.
Industry experts note that “employers want motivated employees” and “given the pandemic and the inability to work in typical office settings, employers need employees that have the self-motivation to work remotely.”
This trend suggests that civil engineers who can effectively manage design projects, client relationships, and regulatory coordination remotely are increasingly valuable.
However, it’s worth noting that remote opportunities represent only 6.1% of the total market (17 out of 277 positions), making them highly competitive. Hybrid arrangements, accounting for 24.5% of positions, offer a middle ground with compensation just $1,460 below fully remote roles.
Location
| City | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $125,261 | $60.22 |
| Tulsa | $123,438 | $59.35 |
| Bethany | $114,000 | $54.81 |
| Bixby | $113,864 | $54.74 |
| Broken Arrow | $102,773 | $49.41 |
| Durant | $95,000 | $45.67 |
| Lawton | $88,437 | $42.52 |
| Bartlesville | $88,400 | $42.50 |
| Enid | $70,034 | $33.67 |
| Stillwater | $65,218 | $31.36 |
| Edmond | $50,336 | $24.20 |
| Norman | $40,186 | $19.32 |
The data reveals a clear urban premium for civil engineers in Oklahoma, with Oklahoma City and Tulsa leading compensation at over $123,000 annually. This aligns with current market reports showing civil engineer salaries of $93,786 in Oklahoma City and $92,248 in Tulsa, though our data suggests potentially higher compensation levels.
The Suburban Advantage: Interestingly, suburban communities like Bethany and Bixby offer competitive salaries ($113,000-$114,000) while potentially providing lower living costs than the major metros. This creates an attractive value proposition for civil engineers seeking to maximize their purchasing power.
Rural vs. Urban Divide: The salary differential between Oklahoma City ($125,261) and smaller cities like Norman ($40,186) or Stillwater ($65,218) is dramatic – representing up to a $85,000 annual difference. However, it’s worth noting that “the Civil Engineer job market in Oklahoma is not very active as few companies are currently hiring” and “Oklahoma ranks number 50 out of 50 states nationwide for Civil Engineer salaries” according to some market analyses, suggesting the need for strategic location and employer selection.
Top Paying Companies in Oklahoma
| Company | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| HDR | $184,251 | $88.59 |
| OGE Energy | $138,299 | $66.50 |
| Trihydro | $131,000 | $62.98 |
| Insight Global | $130,000 | $62.50 |
| STV | $124,380 | $59.80 |
| Addison Group | $122,500 | $58.89 |
| Archon Resources | $122,500 | $58.89 |
| Jobot | $121,936 | $58.62 |
| Jacobs | $121,890 | $58.60 |
| Jobs via Dice | $120,577 | $57.97 |
| American Electric Power | $117,004 | $56.25 |
| Arcadis | $114,607 | $55.10 |
| Merrick & Company | $112,667 | $54.17 |
| Nesco Resource | $108,750 | $52.29 |
| City of Midwest City | $107,765 | $51.81 |
Understanding Oklahoma’s Top-Paying Civil Engineering Employers
The compensation landscape reveals fascinating patterns about which types of organizations value civil engineering talent most highly in Oklahoma.
Engineering Consultancies Dominate: HDR leads the pack with an impressive $184,251 average salary – nearly 60% above the state median. As a global architecture, engineering, and consulting firm, HDR’s premium compensation reflects the specialized, project-based nature of their work and the need to attract top talent for complex infrastructure projects.
Utility Companies Offer Stability and Strong Pay: OGE Energy’s $138,299 average salary represents the value utilities place on civil engineers who understand power infrastructure, regulatory requirements, and public safety considerations. These roles often provide excellent job security alongside competitive compensation.
The Staffing Agency Factor: Several staffing and consulting companies (Insight Global, Addison Group, Jobot) appear in the top-paying list, often offering $122,000-$130,000 annually. These firms typically handle contract and project-based placements, which may command premium rates due to the temporary nature and specialized skills required.
Public Sector Competitiveness: The City of Midwest City’s appearance on this list ($107,765) demonstrates that public sector civil engineering roles in Oklahoma can be competitive, especially when considering benefits packages, pension plans, and job security that typically accompany government positions.
How to Maximize Your Civil Engineer Salary Potential in Oklahoma
Based on our comprehensive data analysis, here are strategic recommendations to optimize your civil engineer salary in Oklahoma:
Strategic Career Moves
- Target the 4-6 Year Experience Sweet Spot – Our data shows the most significant salary acceleration occurs during this period, representing your transition to senior-level responsibilities
- Pursue Your PE License Aggressively – Industry experts emphasize to “obtain your PE license as soon as possible” as it directly correlates with earning potential
- Focus on Oklahoma City and Tulsa Markets – These metros consistently offer $20,000-$30,000 premiums over smaller cities
- Consider Remote-Capable Roles – The 8.9% remote work premium ($9,718 annually) rewards engineers who can manage projects virtually
Education and Skill Development Strategy
- Master’s Degree ROI Analysis – While the immediate salary bump is modest ($2,020), advanced degrees open doors to leadership and specialized roles
- Specialize in High-Demand Areas – With aging infrastructure ensuring civil engineers “will be needed and in demand to manage projects to reinforce and rebuild bridges, repair roads” and growing populations necessitating “increased maintenance and repair of existing water systems,” specialization in infrastructure and utilities offers strong job security
- Embrace Technology Skills – The ability to “analyze large datasets and utilize AI for predictive modeling, optimization, and decision-making will be increasingly important” as the field continuously evolves
Key Technical Skills to Develop
- Software Proficiency: AutoCAD Civil 3D, Bentley MicroStation, GIS systems
- Project Management: PMP certification, Agile methodologies
- Specialized Areas: Transportation engineering, water resources, environmental compliance
- Emerging Technologies: BIM (Building Information Modeling), drone surveying, sustainable design practices
Engineers who “stay updated with industry trends and continuously improve your skills” will be best positioned to capitalize on these emerging opportunities.
Explore our detailed article on the Civil Engineering Skills Required in 2025
The data presented in this article were compiled through an analysis of 277 civil engineering positions across the state of Oklahoma. Salaries, required education levels, experience expectations, seniority titles, and locations were extracted and analysed to identify trends and calculate average and median figures. The data analysis provides current information on the salaries of civil engineers in Oklahoma.
Conclusion
The civil engineering profession in Oklahoma offers strong earning potential, with our analysis showing a median salary of $115,000 annually. While this figure appears optimistic compared to some industry reports, it reflects the premium that top employers and specialized roles can command in the current market.
Key Takeaways for Civil Engineers in Oklahoma:
- The 4-6 year experience range represents the most critical earning acceleration period
- Remote work capabilities can add nearly $10,000 to annual compensation
- Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential, with urban markets offering substantial premiums
- Oklahoma’s civil engineer shortage creates negotiating leverage for qualified professionals
With Oklahoma facing a “critical level” of civil engineer shortage and the need to focus on both “growing new civil engineers” and “retaining them,” professionals who commit to developing their skills and building careers in the state are well-positioned for strong compensation growth and career advancement.
For civil engineers looking to maximize their earning potential, a strategic approach combining technical skill development, professional licensing (PE), and careful market positioning is essential. Understanding these salary trends and market dynamics will help you negotiate competitive compensation packages and advance your civil engineering career effectively in Oklahoma’s evolving marketplace.
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