Are you considering a career in civil engineering in Canada, or looking to level up your current compensation?
We have done a comprehensive analysis of 256 civil engineering jobs across Canada. This article details the civil engineering salary and civil engineer wage in Canada for 2025, and the key factors that influence compensation as revealed by the data focusing on education, experience progression, geographical location, and seniority levels. We’ll explore how much civil engineers make in Canada and provide insights into the engineering salary Canada landscape.
Average Civil Engineer Salary in Canada
The median Canada civil engineer salary is CAD $78,840 per year or CAD $37.91 per hour. This figure gives insight into how much do civil engineers make in Canada and represents the average engineer salary Canada for this profession.
Factors Influencing Salary
- Educational Level
- Years of Experience
- Seniority Level
- Location
- Top Paying Companies
Required Educational Level and Civil Engineer Qualifications
Civil engineering positions typically require specialisation in civil engineering, structural engineering, or related technical disciplines. Over 92% of jobs require just a bachelor’s degree while only 5.21% require a Master’s degree. This suggests that practical experience and professional registration (P.Eng.) are more significant factors in determining civil engineer salaries than advanced degrees alone. An engineering degree is the foundation for entering this field and accessing entry-level positions.
Required Years of Experience and Civil Engineer Wage Progression
Civil Engineer Salary by Years of Experience
The graph above clearly shows that the Canada civil engineer wage increases with experience, with a dramatic spike at the 3-year mark where salaries jump from approximately CAD $65,000 to CAD $162,000. This suggests that obtaining Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation, which typically requires 3-4 years of experience, has a significant impact on compensation. The data illustrates how experienced workers in the engineering industry can expect substantial salary growth.
Seniority Level and Total Pay
The table shows a consistent increase in civil engineer salaries as seniority level increases. The progression from entry-level to senior represents a 95% increase in civil engineer salary Canada. This substantial differential highlights the value that experience and project management capabilities bring to engineering firms and construction companies.
Cities with Highest Civil Engineer Salary in Canada
| City | Province | Hourly Salary (CAD) | Annual Salary (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Mainland | BC | $77.88 | $162,000 |
| Montreal | QC | $71.06 | $147,825 |
| North Vancouver | BC | $56.86 | $118,260 |
| Fort St John | BC | $43.59 | $90,666 |
| Saskatoon | SK | $40.85 | $84,962 |
| Kamloops | BC | $40.28 | $83,768 |
| Burnaby | BC | $40.14 | $83,474 |
| Richmond | BC | $39.01 | $81,155 |
| Ottawa | ON | $37.93 | $78,877 |
| Elmsdale | NS | $35.53 | $73,913 |
The data reveals that Lower Mainland BC offers the highest civil engineering salaries in Canada, offering an impressive CAD $162,000 per year. British Columbia dominates the top-paying locations, with six of the top ten cities located in the province. This reflects the high demand for civil engineers in BC’s booming construction and infrastructure sectors. The civil engineer salary Vancouver region (including Lower Mainland, North Vancouver, and Burnaby) significantly exceeds the national median. For those wondering about the civil engineering salary Toronto or civil engineer salary Ontario, while not in the top 10, these regions still offer competitive compensation packages.
Top Paying Companies in Canada
Here is a list of the top 12 paying companies that consistently offer above-average salaries for civil engineers in Canada:
| Rank | Company | Annual Salary (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drake Excavating | $162,000 |
| 2 | Insituform Technologies | $147,825 |
| 3 | Career Contacts | $118,260 |
| 4 | Vancouver Airport Authority | $88,733 |
| 5 | Tetra Tech | $88,695 |
| 6 | Binnie | $87,350 |
| 7 | City of Saskatoon | $84,962 |
| 8 | J.L. Richards & Associates | $83,768 |
| 9 | TRUE Consulting | $82,125 |
| 10 | McElhanney | $81,304 |
| 11 | City of Richmond BC | $81,155 |
| 12 | Kiewit | $79,598 |
These organisations represent diverse sectors including heavy construction, infrastructure rehabilitation, municipal governments, and engineering consultancies, indicating that civil engineering expertise is highly valued across multiple industries in Canada. Many of these companies offer opportunities for both engineering consultants and full-time employees.
How to Maximise Your Salary Potential
Based on our comprehensive data analysis, we recommend the following strategies to optimise your civil engineer salary Canada:
- Obtain Professional Registration: Pursue your P.Eng. designation as soon as eligible, as the data shows a significant salary jump at the 3-year experience mark
- Consider Location Strategically: British Columbia, particularly the Lower Mainland region, offers the highest compensation packages. The civil engineering salary BC is notably higher than other provinces.
- Develop Specialised Skills: Focus on high-demand areas such as structural analysis, geotechnical engineering, or project management
To enhance your civil engineer career and increase your earning potential, focus on developing these key skills:
- Software proficiency: AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Revit, SAP2000
- Project management: PMP certification, scheduling, budgeting
- Sustainability: LEED certification, green infrastructure design
- Technical specialisations: Seismic design, hydrology, transportation planning
- Regulatory knowledge: Building codes, environmental regulations
Additionally, gaining expertise in areas such as stormwater management, land development, and hydraulic structures can make you a more valuable asset in the civil engineering field.
Future Trends in Civil Engineering Salaries
The civil engineering field in Canada continues to evolve with increasing focus on sustainable infrastructure, climate resilience, smart cities, and aging infrastructure renewal. Engineers who develop expertise in these emerging areas are likely to command premium civil engineering salaries in Canada as governments and private sector organizations invest heavily in infrastructure modernization. The demand for civil engineers is expected to grow, particularly in urban centers and resource-rich provinces, leading to positive employment prospects.
Civil engineering projects are becoming more complex, requiring advanced engineering analysis and design skills. As the industry shifts towards more sustainable and resilient civil infrastructure, professionals who can adapt to these changes will find themselves in high demand, potentially earning salaries above the current civil engineer average salary.
The data presented in this article was compiled through an analysis of 256 publicly available civil engineering salaries in Canada. 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 was updated in May 2025, providing the most current labour market information for the engineering industry.
Conclusion
The civil engineering profession offers solid earning potential across Canada, with the average civil engineer salary Canada reaching CAD $78,840 annually. While education provides the foundation, professional registration, experience, and location choice have the most significant impact on total compensation.
For civil engineers looking to maximize their earning potential, a strategic approach to career development is essential. This includes obtaining P.Eng. designation, continuously upgrading technical skills, gaining diverse project experience, and considering opportunities in high-paying regions like British Columbia. Whether you’re interested in how much civil engineers make in Ontario or the construction engineering salary in other provinces, this guide provides valuable insights for your career planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current median salary for civil engineers in Canada?
According to our recent data analysis of 256 civil engineering positions across Canada, the median civil engineer salary Canada is CAD $78,840 per year or CAD $37.91 per hour. This figure represents the benchmark for civil engineering professionals as of May 2025, though actual pay can vary significantly based on factors such as professional registration, experience level, location, and project type.
How does education level affect civil engineer pay in Canada?
While a bachelor’s degree is the standard requirement for 92% of civil engineering positions, education level does impact salary. Engineers with a Master’s degree earn an average of CAD $90,528 annually compared to CAD $73,913 for those with only a bachelor’s degree. However, professional registration (P.Eng.) and practical experience often have a greater impact on salary than advanced degrees alone.
Which Canadian cities offer the highest salaries for civil engineers?
Lower Mainland BC leads with an annual average of CAD $162,000. Other top cities include Montreal (CAD $147,825), North Vancouver (CAD $118,260), and Fort St John (CAD $90,666). British Columbia cities dominate the top-paying locations, reflecting the province’s robust construction and infrastructure sectors. For those interested in the civil engineering salary Toronto or civil engineer salary Ontario, while not at the top, these regions still offer competitive compensation.
How does experience level affect civil engineer salaries in Canada?
Experience dramatically influences Canadian civil engineer pay. Entry-level engineers earn approximately CAD $65,000, while those with 3+ years of experience (typically coinciding with P.Eng. eligibility) see their compensation jump to CAD $162,000. This represents one of the most significant salary increases in the profession, highlighting the value of professional registration and experienced workers in the engineering industry.
What strategies can help maximize salary potential for civil engineers in the Canadian job market?
To maximize your civil engineering salaries in Canada, focus on obtaining your P.Eng. designation as soon as eligible, seek positions in British Columbia’s infrastructure sector, develop specialized skills in high-demand areas like seismic design or sustainable infrastructure, target large engineering firms or government agencies, and negotiate compensation packages that include benefits and professional development opportunities. Stay informed about infrastructure investment trends and be prepared to relocate to regions with major projects underway. Joining engineering associations can also provide networking opportunities and access to job profiles and wage reports that can inform your career decisions.
