Are you considering a civil engineer job in Ontario, or looking to benchmark your current compensation in the evolving job market?
We have conducted a comprehensive analysis of 938 civil engineering positions across Ontario to provide insights into the Civil Engineer salary landscape. This salary guide details the Civil Engineer Salary in Ontario for 2025, exploring how much civil engineers make and the key factors that influence compensation as revealed by the wage data.
Average Civil Engineers Salary in Ontario
The median Canadian civil engineer salary is $107,667 CAD per year or $51.78 CAD per hour. This figure provides insight into how much do engineers make in Ontario and serves as a benchmark for the Civil Engineering salaries in the province.
Salary Range Overview
Factors Influencing Civil Engineering Salaries
Educational Level
The data reveals an interesting pattern in Ontario’s civil engineering market. While 76.48% of positions require a bachelor’s degree, pursuing a master’s degree provides only a modest salary premium of about 2%. This suggests that in civil engineering, practical experience and professional certifications may be valued as highly as advanced degrees.
Here’s where it gets interesting: unlike other engineering disciplines where master’s degrees command significantly higher salaries, civil engineering in Ontario shows that specialized certifications and practical experience can be equally valuable pathways to higher compensation.
Civil engineering positions in Ontario predominantly require a bachelor’s degree, with over three-quarters of positions listing this as the minimum requirement. The relatively small salary gap between bachelor’s and master’s degree holders suggests that Ontario employers value practical skills and Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation as much as advanced academic credentials.
Years of Experience
The wage data shows steady salary progression in civil engineering careers, with a notable acceleration after the 5-year mark. But what if you’re already at the median? The most significant opportunities for salary growth appear between years 5-8, where civil engineers see their base salary increase by approximately 18%. This suggests that the transition from intermediate to senior level represents a critical career milestone for civil engineers in Ontario.
| Years of Experience | Percentage of Jobs | Number of Positions |
|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 3.76% | 24 |
| 1 year | 5.63% | 36 |
| 2 years | 6.10% | 39 |
| 3 years | 8.61% | 55 |
| 4 years | 8.45% | 54 |
| 5 years | 33.80% | 216 |
| 6 years | 5.32% | 34 |
| 8 years | 8.76% | 56 |
| 15+ years | 13.93% | 89 |
Seniority Level
The progression from junior civil engineer to senior civil engineer and beyond represents a 102% increase in compensation, highlighting the value of experience and leadership capabilities in the civil engineering field. This data provides insights into the potential for career advancement and salary growth in the profession, including roles such as project engineer, structural engineer, and engineering manager.
Remote Work
One fascinating insight from our wage data shows how work arrangements affect compensation in civil engineering:
| Work Arrangement | Average Annual Salary (CAD) | Number of Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Remote | $170,373 | 5 |
| Hybrid | $110,954 | 274 |
| Onsite | $104,221 | 659 |
The remote work premium of over 60% reflects the scarcity of fully remote civil engineering positions and the high value placed on flexible work arrangements. However, with only 5 remote positions available, most civil engineers should expect hybrid or onsite arrangements due to the hands-on nature of the profession.
Location
| City | Average Annual Salary (CAD) | Average Hourly Rate (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge | $162,961 | $78.35 |
| Oakville | $130,250 | $62.62 |
| Markham | $127,159 | $61.13 |
| Newmarket | $125,693 | $60.43 |
| Milton | $124,830 | $60.01 |
| Brampton | $121,873 | $58.59 |
| Guelph | $121,011 | $58.17 |
| Ottawa | $118,289 | $56.87 |
| Windsor | $114,080 | $54.85 |
| Mississauga | $108,561 | $52.19 |
Cambridge, Ontario, surprisingly leads the highest paying cities with the highest Civil Engineer salaries in the province, offering significantly higher civil engineering wages than traditional urban centers. This may be attributed to the region’s concentration of advanced manufacturing and technology companies, which heavily rely on civil engineering expertise. The data also shows strong representation from the Greater Toronto Area, with cities like Oakville and Markham offering competitive compensation packages.
Top Paying Companies in Ontario
Here is a list of the top companies that consistently offer above-average salaries for civil engineers in Ontario, representing some of the highest paying Civil Engineering jobs in the province:
Highest Paying Employers
| Company | Average Annual Salary (CAD) | Average Hourly Rate (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Ostan Engineering | $224,050 | $107.72 |
| Skyline Recruitment | $168,913 | $81.21 |
| Harris & Associates | $167,239 | $80.40 |
| Morson Talent (Canada & USA) | $162,961 | $78.35 |
| Jobot | $143,544 | $69.01 |
| TES The Employment Solution | $134,636 | $64.73 |
| Ontario Public Service Leadership | $129,390 | $62.21 |
| Mott MacDonald | $129,260 | $62.14 |
| Town of Whitby | $128,782 | $61.91 |
| City of Peterborough | $127,134 | $61.12 |
These organizations span diverse industry sectors including engineering consultancies, public sector employers, municipal governments, and specialized technical services. The strong demand for civil engineering expertise across multiple industries, particularly with Ontario’s focus on infrastructure renewal and development, creates competitive compensation packages including attractive non-wage benefits.
How to Maximize Your Civil Engineer Salary Potential
Based on our comprehensive wage data analysis, we recommend the following strategies to optimize your Civil Engineer salary in Ontario:
- Target High-Growth Regions – Cities like Cambridge and Oakville offer premium compensation packages significantly above provincial averages
- Focus on the 5-8 Year Experience Mark – This period shows the most significant salary acceleration in civil engineering careers
- Develop Leadership Skills – Progression to senior and management roles offers the highest compensation potential
- Obtain Professional Certifications – P.Eng. designation and specialized certifications can significantly boost earning potential
- Consider Hybrid Work Opportunities – These roles often command higher salaries while providing work-life balance
Key Skills to Develop:
- Technical Competencies: AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Revit, structural analysis software
- Project Management: PMP certification, leadership experience
- Specialized Areas: Transportation engineering, environmental consulting, municipal infrastructure
- Emerging Technologies: Clean energy solutions, sustainable design practices, smart city technologies
For verified industry statistics and skill analysis, see the Civil Engineering Skills Required in 2025.
Future Trends in Civil Engineering Salaries
The demand for civil engineers in Canada is on the rise as the country continues to expand its infrastructure, presenting a wealth of job openings for both new graduates and experienced professionals. Ontario specifically is experiencing unprecedented infrastructure investment.
The civil engineering field in Ontario continues to evolve, with increasing focus on:
- Infrastructure Renewal: With cities like Ottawa delivering approximately 600 infrastructure projects valued at $700 million annually
- Transit Expansion: Major Toronto transit infrastructure projects now awarded for 2025 construction commencement
- Sustainable Development: Clean energy solutions including renewable energy systems and electric vehicle infrastructure
- Smart Infrastructure: Digital twin technology and IoT integration in municipal systems
Engineers who develop expertise in these emerging areas are likely to command premium salaries as Canada has 8% growth in civil engineer employment projected through 2030, according to the latest labour market information.
The data presented in this article was compiled through an analysis of 938 publicly available civil engineering salaries in Ontario. Salaries, required education levels, experience expectations, seniority titles, and locations were extracted and analysed to identify trends and calculate average and median figures. The wage reports were completed in 2025, providing the most up-to-date information on how much do civil engineers make in Ontario.
Conclusion
The civil engineering profession offers strong earning potential across Ontario, with the median Civil Engineer salary reaching $107,667 CAD annually. While education provides a foundation, experience and specialization significantly influence salary levels. Location choices and industry selection have equally important impacts on total compensation.
For civil engineers looking to maximize their earning potential, a strategic approach combining technical skill development, professional certification, and leadership capabilities is essential. With Canada projected to need 100,000 new engineers in the coming decade to address workforce aging and retirements, understanding salary trends and labour market dynamics will help you negotiate competitive compensation packages and advance your career effectively.
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