A Professional Engineer (P.E.) license can boost a civil engineering salary by $42,000 – the difference between earning $98,000 and $140,000 annually.
Civil engineers’ median pre-tax income increased to $135,000 in 2023, up from $128,000 in 2022. Entry-level positions start at $76,000, while experienced professionals in manufacturing earn up to $166,000. Location impacts earnings significantly, and top-paying cities like San Jose, California offer average salaries of $129,860.
The detailed guide covers 15 key facts about civil engineer salaries that professionals should know in 2025. These insights come from data collected from 2,975 ASCE Society members and help both new graduates and experienced engineers learn about their earning potential.
Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary Benchmarks
FACT ONE: Civil engineers starting their careers in the United States earn an average annual salary of $79,101. Their compensation packages usually range from $71,601 to $87,601, and top performers can earn up to $95,340
PE Licensure and certification
A Professional Engineer license paves the way to significant financial rewards in civil engineering careers. The data shows that licensed civil engineers earn a median income of $132,000. This represents about $30,000 more than what their non-licensed peers make.
FACT TWO: PE-licensed engineers make $23,000 more than their non-licensed colleagues. Some engineering specialties see even bigger advantages, with annual differences reaching $42,000.
Professional certifications provide significant returns for civil engineers. Board-certified specialists earn higher salaries and find better career opportunities. Studies show certified engineers make USD 42,000 more per year than those without certification.
Geographic Salary Variations
The ASCE 2024 Civil Engineering Salary Report shows significant pay differences across the United States. Civil engineers earned a median pre-tax income of $135,000 in 2023. This represents a $7,000 jump from last year.
Top Paying States
FACT THREE: California stands at the forefront with civil engineers making an average of $115,100 yearly. New York comes next at $113,610, while Alaska pays $110,940. Louisiana engineers earn $109,770, and Massachusetts completes the top five with $108,320. Utah and Arkansas paint a different picture, with average salaries nowhere near the national average – about 38% lower.
Metropolitan vs Rural Differences
Big cities reward civil engineers better than rural areas. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara tops the charts at $129,860. The San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward area follows with $125,990. Sacramento region engineers earn $123,730. Southwest Montana tells a different story with much lower pay at $81,420.
Industry Sector Salary Comparison
FACT FOUR: Salary patterns in civil engineering vary significantly between sectors. The architectural and engineering services sector employs the most civil engineers, with 176,160 professionals earning $102,340 on average each year.
Private Sector Compensation
Specialized industries in the private sector reward their employees with premium pay packages. Pipeline transportation tops the list with yearly salaries reaching $200,530. Petroleum and coal products manufacturing pays $150,530, while professional equipment wholesalers offer $146,320. Engineers in oil and gas extraction earn $141,520 yearly.
Government Roles Pay Scale
Government jobs provide competitive salaries at every level. Local government positions, except schools and hospitals, pay $106,480 annually. State government jobs offer $96,630, which shows a balanced public sector pay structure. Federal positions match local government scales closely at $107,950 per year.
Consulting Firm Salaries
Engineering consultants earn different amounts based on their firm’s size and specialty. Industry leaders like Kimley-Horn pay between $129,000 and $192,000. Dewberry’s compensation ranges from $111,000 to $159,000, while Bentley Systems pays between $106,000 and $158,000.
Experience-Based Salary Progression
Civil engineering salaries directly reflect professional experience, and professionals see significant income growth as their careers advance. The latest data shows clear salary trends at each career stage.
0-5 Years Earnings
New graduates start with an annual salary of $71,221 in their first year. Their earnings jump to $92,258 by the second year. Engineers who have worked 2-4 years earn $95,854.
Mid-Career Compensation
The salary grows to $122,282 when civil engineers reach 6-9 years of experience. They take on more challenging roles and lead teams at this stage. This growth shows their technical expertise and project management capabilities.
Senior Level Packages
Senior civil engineers earn substantial compensation packages. The salary reaches $117,325 with 5-8 years of experience, and professionals with more than 8 years earn about $121,062. Senior position salaries range from $101,853 to $128,073, with $114,053 as the median.
FACT FIVE: A graduate degree combined with PE licensure helps professionals advance faster into senior technical or management positions. Top earners make more than $130,000, which reflects their distinguished careers and leadership roles. of $166,000.
Specialization Impact on Compensation
FACT SIX: Civil engineering specializations come with distinct salary ranges that depend on expertise and what companies just need. Recent data shows interesting pay differences between engineering disciplines of all types.
Structural Engineering Salaries
Structural engineers earn a median annual salary of $99,400. Top performers can make $134,500, while experienced professionals earn up to $152,000. Starting positions begin at $76,982 and can grow to $135,917 for senior roles.
Transportation Engineering Pay
Transportation engineers get competitive pay packages, with base salaries from $64,000 to $106,000. New graduates start at $66,022, while professionals with 1-4 years of experience make $74,445 on average. Government jobs come with better benefits, and total compensation can reach $140,000.
Environmental Engineering Rates
Environmental engineers see strong salary growth as their careers progress. Base pay ranges from $57,000 to $109,000, with total compensation up to $111,000. New engineers start at $63,391, which increases to $69,748 after 1-4 years.
Company Size and Salary Correlation
The size of a company directly affects how much civil engineers earn. A study of 2,975 ASCE Society members shows clear salary differences between companies of all sizes.
FACT SEVEN:
- Big organizations (10,000+ employees) pay median salaries of $141,000
- Mid-size companies offer competitive packages between $73,000 and $85,000
- Specialized boutique firms make use of their expertise to charge premium rates
Employee ownership also changes how companies pay their staff. Medium-sized employee-owned firms often give company stock options instead of traditional benefits. Engineers can receive big yearly bonuses when their company’s stock grows over time.
Education Level Salary Differences
Educational qualifications determine how much civil engineers earn throughout their careers. Civil engineers with master’s degrees earn more right from the start compared to bachelor’s degree holders. Entry-level positions for master’s graduates offer $66,900, which is $5,500 more than bachelor’s degree holders. The salary gap grows larger as careers advance – professionals with master’s degrees earn between $70,000 to $120,000 depending on location and specialization .
FACT EIGHT: PhD graduates receive average base salaries of $83,062, ranging from $64,000 to $110,000. Experience makes this advantage even clearer – PhD holders with 15-19 years of experience earn $125,972 on average each year.
Benefits Package Valuation
Recent surveys show that 98% of civil engineering professionals receive employer-sponsored health insurance. Employer-sponsored health insurance is crucial for civil engineers, covering 60.4% of those under 65, with premium costs varying significantly—PPO plans averaging $215 monthly and employers covering 60% of increases.
FACT NINE: 79% of civil engineers participate in employer programs, including pension plans for government roles and 401(k) plans that can generate substantial retirement income.
Overtime and Bonus Structures
Bonus structures and overtime compensation are vital components of civil engineering remuneration packages.
FACT 10: 25% of civil engineers receive annual bonuses.
Average Annual Bonuses
Civil engineers typically receive a bonus of $3,000, which makes up 4.93% of their base salary. Engineering firms use different bonus structures. Civil engineers in training and design engineers earn around $2,000 in bonuses. Senior civil engineers receive higher bonuses that reach $11,000 annually. The manufacturing sector offers exceptional bonus potential, with median pre-tax incomes reaching $166,000.
Overtime Policies
Federal labor laws require overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate when work hours exceed 40 per week. Non-management construction workers qualify for overtime compensation, whatever their salary level. The recent changes in overtime regulations increased the total compensation requirement for highly compensated employees to $132,964. This amount will rise to $151,164 by January 2025.
Performance Incentives
Construction firms use various incentive programs based on project outcomes. Teams receive 2.5% of total crew hours as bonus compensation when they complete projects on budget. Under-budget completion brings better rewards – team members share 20% of saved crew hours.
Future Salary Growth Projections
Civil engineering salaries show promising growth potential through 2030. Base salaries continue to rise steadily with yearly increases of 3-5% in traditional roles.
The civil engineering market is expected to grow significantly and reach USD 13.70 trillion by 2030. Base compensation went up by 5% in 2024, which was lower than the 7% increase in 2023. Specialists working with emerging technologies and sustainability projects can expect 5-10% yearly salary growth.
Summary Table
| List Item | Key Statistics | Main Factors | Trends/Projections | Effect on Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level Salary | $79,101 average | Location, Company size | Range: $71,601-$87,601 | Best performers reach $95,340 |
| PE Licensure | $42,000 increase | Experience (4+ years), Exam completion | Required for government positions | Median income: $132,000 vs $102,000 non-licensed |
| Geographic Variations | $135,000 median (2023) | State, Metropolitan area | 31% growth in Kansas | San Jose leads at $129,860 |
| Industry Sector | $200,530 (Pipeline) | Private vs Public sector | Consulting roles: $90,000-$142,000 | Government: $106,480 (Local), $96,630 (State) |
| Experience-Based | $71,221 (Entry) to $122,282 (6-9 years) | Years of work, Role complexity | Steady growth pattern | Senior roles reach $130,000+ |
| Specialization | $99,400 (Structural) | Expertise area, Market needs | Environmental: $57,000-$109,000 | Transportation: $64,000-$106,000 |
| Company Size | $141,000 (10,000+ employees) | Organization scale | Better packages in larger firms | Small firms (1-10): $112,000 |
| Education Level | $66,900 (Masters start) | Degree type, Focus area | PhD value rising | $5,500 gap (Masters vs Bachelors) |
| Benefits Package | 98% receive health insurance | Healthcare, Retirement, Growth | Better professional development options | Total value: $33,703 average |
| Overtime/Bonus | $3,000 average bonus | Performance metrics | 1.5x regular rate for overtime | 4.93% of base salary |
| Future Growth | 3-5% annual increase | Infrastructure spending | $13.70 trillion market by 2030 | 5-10% growth in niche roles |
| Certification Returns | $42,000 premium | Professional growth | 25% higher earnings | 11% better output |
Conclusion
PE-licensed civil engineers earn $42,000 more than their non-licensed peers. Base compensation starts at $79,101 for entry-level roles and reaches $166,000 for experienced professionals in manufacturing. Specialized certifications can increase earnings by 25%.Location plays a major role in determining salaries. San Jose leads with average earnings of $129,860. Large organizations with over 10,000 employees pay median salaries of $141,000. Smaller firms offer around $112,000.
A master’s degree holder’s starting salary is $5,500 higher than someone with a bachelor’s degree. Engineers with certifications show 11% better productivity and have more opportunities to advance their careers.Market outlook remains positive for civil engineering professionals through 2030. Industry value is expected to reach $13.70 trillion due to infrastructure investments and tech advances.
FAQs
Q1. What is the average starting salary for entry-level civil engineers? The average starting salary for entry-level civil engineers in the United States is around $79,000 per year. However, this can vary based on factors like location, company size, and specialization.
Q2. How does obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license impact salary? Obtaining a PE license can significantly boost a civil engineer’s salary, with licensed professionals earning about $42,000 more annually than their non-licensed counterparts. This can mean the difference between earning $98,000 and $140,000 per year.
Q3. Which areas offer the highest salaries for civil engineers? Geographic location plays a major role in civil engineering salaries. Top-paying areas include California, New York, and Alaska. Metropolitan areas like San Jose and San Francisco offer some of the highest average salaries, exceeding $125,000 annually.
Q4. How does company size affect civil engineering salaries? Company size correlates strongly with salary levels. Large organizations with over 10,000 employees typically offer median salaries around $141,000, while smaller firms with 1-10 employees provide median salaries of about $112,000.
Q5. What are the salary projections for civil engineers in the coming years? The outlook for civil engineering salaries is positive, with projections indicating steady growth. Base salaries are expected to increase by 3-5% annually for traditional roles, while niche positions in emerging technologies or sustainability may see 5-10% annual growth through 2030.
