Are you considering a civil engineering career in Alabama, or looking to benchmark your current compensation?
We have conducted a comprehensive analysis of 290 civil engineering positions across Alabama to provide insights into the civil engineering compensation landscape. This article details the Civil Engineer Salary in Alabama and Civil Engineer wage for 2025, exploring how much civil engineers make and the key factors that influence compensation as revealed by the data.
Average Civil Engineer Salary in Alabama
The median Civil Engineer salary in Alabama is $114,578.50 USD per year or $55.085 USD per hour. This figure provides valuable insight into how much civil engineers earn in Alabama and serves as a benchmark for Civil Engineering salaries in the state.
Salary Range Overview
Here’s where it gets interesting: Alabama’s civil engineering salaries significantly outpace national expectations. While some sources suggest Alabama civil engineers earn around $74,934 annually, our comprehensive analysis of 290 positions reveals a much more promising picture at $114,578.50 median salary. This disparity highlights the importance of looking beyond generic salary aggregators when making career decisions.
The data presented in this article was compiled through an analysis of 290 publicly available civil engineering positions in Alabama. Salaries, required education levels, experience expectations, seniority titles, and locations were extracted and analyzed to identify trends and calculate average and median figures. The data analysis was completed in 2025, providing the most up-to-date information on how much civil engineers make in Alabama. We also referenced the ASCE salary calculator and ASCE salary report to ensure our findings align with industry standards.
Factors Influencing Civil Engineer Pay
Educational Level
But what if you’re already questioning the value of that expensive master’s program? Here’s a surprising finding that challenges conventional wisdom: bachelor’s degree holders actually earn more on average ($102,337.50) than master’s degree holders ($93,843.75) in Alabama’s civil engineering market.
This counterintuitive trend suggests that in Alabama’s practical, project-driven engineering environment, hands-on experience and professional licensure may carry more weight than advanced academic credentials. This doesn’t mean master’s degrees are worthless—they may provide advantages in specialized roles or research positions—but the data indicates that Alabama employers highly value practical engineering skills.
Education Requirements Distribution
Civil engineering positions in Alabama predominantly require a bachelor’s degree, with over 72% of positions listing this as the minimum requirement. A civil engineering degree from an accredited institution is typically the foundation for entering the field.
This reinforces that while advanced education can be beneficial, the market is accessible to professionals with solid undergraduate engineering foundations.
Remote Work
Here’s something that might surprise you: remote work isn’t just a possibility in civil engineering—it can significantly boost your earning potential.
Average Salary by Work Arrangement
| Work Type | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Number of Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Remote | $123,775.00 | 6 |
| Hybrid | $97,567.08 | 44 |
| Onsite | $92,837.33 | 240 |
Remote civil engineering positions command the highest salaries at $123,775.00 annually, representing a 33% premium over onsite roles.
While remote opportunities are limited (only 6 positions), this premium suggests that companies are willing to pay significantly more for civil engineers who can work effectively in distributed teams.
The shift toward remote work has been accelerated by employers seeking self-motivated employees, with increasing emphasis on digital tools like AutoCAD Civil 3D, GIS software, and BIM platforms becoming essential for engineers working on smart city concepts and data-driven design.
Required Years of Experience and Civil Engineer Wage Progression
The progression shows steady growth, with the most significant jump occurring between 1-3 years of experience—a 20% increase that represents the transition from junior to competent practitioner. This aligns with national trends showing civil engineering salaries for entry-level positions have nearly doubled over the past 25 years. Relevant work experience plays a crucial role in this salary progression.
| Years of Experience | Percentage of Jobs | Number of Positions |
|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 13.19% | 24 |
| 1 year | 8.24% | 15 |
| 2 years | 9.89% | 18 |
| 3 years | 8.79% | 16 |
| 4 years | 11.54% | 21 |
| 5 years | 32.97% | 60 |
| 6 years | 4.95% | 9 |
| 8 years | 7.14% | 13 |
We know job searching can be overwhelming when you see “5 years required” everywhere. The reality is more encouraging: nearly one-third of Alabama civil engineering positions require 5 years of experience, creating a sweet spot for mid-career professionals, while 13% are open to new graduates.
Seniority Level
The progression from entry-level to lead represents a 60% increase in compensation, highlighting the value of developing both technical expertise and leadership capabilities. The narrow gap between senior and lead positions suggests that moving into leadership roles provides more responsibility than dramatically higher pay—an important consideration for engineers weighing technical vs. managerial career paths.
Location
| City | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery | $143,998.50 | $69.23 |
| Huntsville | $120,000.00 | $57.69 |
| Mobile | $110,647.30 | $53.20 |
| Fairhope | $110,000.00 | $52.88 |
| Dothan | $100,557.60 | $48.35 |
| Birmingham | $92,590.71 | $44.52 |
| Valley | $82,500.00 | $39.66 |
| Hoover | $80,000.00 | $38.46 |
| Oxford | $72,500.00 | $34.86 |
Montgomery emerges as Alabama’s civil engineering goldmine, offering salaries that exceed even traditional tech hubs. This premium likely reflects Montgomery’s role as the state capital, where civil engineers work on major government infrastructure projects and navigate complex regulatory environments. Recent infrastructure investments through the Rebuild Alabama Act, with Governor Ivey announcing millions in funding for road and bridge projects, have positioned Alabama as having the second-best roads in the country according to national studies.
Huntsville’s strong showing at $120,000 reflects the city’s aerospace and defense industry concentration, where civil engineers support NASA, military contractors, and high-tech facilities requiring specialized infrastructure expertise.
Here’s what’s particularly interesting: Alabama’s infrastructure received a “C-” grade from civil engineers in 2022, with significant challenges in water infrastructure systems (stormwater D+, wastewater D), creating substantial opportunities for civil engineers specializing in these areas.
Top Paying Companies in Alabama
Here’s where Alabama civil engineers can maximize their earning potential:
Highest Paying Employers
| Company | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Search | $140,000.00 | $67.31 |
| Actalent | $130,000.00 | $62.50 |
| IAPMO | $127,550.00 | $61.32 |
| AECOM | $120,000.00 | $57.69 |
| Arcadis | $117,586.70 | $56.53 |
| Jobot | $113,333.30 | $54.48 |
| Mobile County Personnel Board | $100,821.80 | $48.47 |
| City of Dothan | $100,557.60 | $48.35 |
| HDR | $100,500.00 | $48.32 |
| Selectek | $97,500.00 | $46.88 |
| Jacobs | $85,431.25 | $41.08 |
| Norfolk Southern | $85,000.00 | $40.87 |
| Kiewit | $82,510.00 | $39.67 |
Southern Search and Actalent top the list as staffing and consulting firms that command premium rates for specialized engineering talent. These companies often serve as bridges between engineers and high-value projects, taking on complex assignments that require specific expertise.
AECOM and Arcadis represent global engineering consultancies with major Alabama operations, offering competitive packages for engineers working on large-scale infrastructure projects. HDR and Jacobs provide similar opportunities in transportation and environmental engineering.
What’s noteworthy: Public sector employers like Mobile County Personnel Board and City of Dothan offer solid compensation around $100,000, often with excellent benefits packages that can make total compensation very competitive with private sector roles.
How to Maximize Your Civil Engineer Salary Potential
Based on our comprehensive data analysis, here are strategic recommendations to optimize your Civil Engineer salary in Alabama:
Target High-Growth Areas
Focus on water infrastructure, stormwater management, and transportation projects. Alabama’s infrastructure challenges combined with billions in planned projects—like the $3.5 billion Mobile bridge project—create sustained demand for specialized civil engineers.
Consider Geographic Strategy
Montgomery and Huntsville consistently offer the highest salaries. North Alabama infrastructure projects, including I-565 corridor improvements and Memorial Parkway redesigns, represent major opportunities for transportation engineers.
Embrace Digital Transformation
Proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D, GIS software, and BIM platforms opens more doors, especially in firms adopting smart city concepts and data-driven design.
Pursue Professional Licensure Strategically
Obtain your PE license as soon as possible, as licensed engineers can sign off on projects and oversee other engineers’ work, significantly increasing market value.
Develop Specialized Certifications
Consider certifications in water resources engineering, geotechnical engineering, coastal engineering, or environmental sustainability to match Alabama’s infrastructure needs.
Key Skills to Develop:
Technical Competencies:
- Infrastructure Design: Roadways, bridges, water systems, stormwater management
- Software Proficiency: AutoCAD Civil 3D, GIS applications, BIM platforms
- Environmental Engineering: Sustainable design practices, environmental impact assessment
- Project Management: Planning, scheduling, budget management, regulatory compliance
- Organizational Skills: Crucial for managing complex projects and teams
Emerging Technologies:
- Smart Infrastructure: IoT sensors, data analytics for infrastructure monitoring
- Sustainable Engineering: Green infrastructure, renewable energy integration
- Digital Twin Technology: Virtual modeling and simulation for infrastructure projects
Specialized Areas:
- Water Resources: Given Alabama’s “D” grade in stormwater and wastewater systems
- Transportation: Highway design, traffic engineering, transit systems
- Structural: Bridge design and inspection, building infrastructure
- Environmental: Site remediation, environmental compliance, sustainability
- Nonresidential Building Construction: A growing sector in Alabama’s engineering landscape
We have written a detailed article containing the most required Civil Engineering Skills in 2025
Future Trends in Civil Engineering Salaries
The civil engineering job market is expected to grow by 5.0% between 2022 and 2032, with aging infrastructure ensuring continued demand for engineers to reinforce bridges, repair roads, upgrade water systems, and support renewable energy transitions.
Alabama-Specific Growth Drivers: The Rebuild Alabama Act continues generating opportunities, with over $63 million in state transportation funding awarded for local projects since passage, and minimum $10 million annually dedicated to local infrastructure improvements.
Infrastructure Investment Impact: Major projects like the Novelis $4.1 billion aluminum plant in Bay Minette are driving demand for civil engineers specializing in industrial site preparation, with cost increases partly attributed to complex civil engineering and construction requirements.
Salary Outlook: National median civil engineering salaries have risen to $97,000 in 2025, up from $88,000 in 2022, suggesting continued upward pressure on Alabama salaries as infrastructure investments accelerate. This trend is also reflected in the latest ASCE salary report, which shows consistent growth in civil engineering compensation across various specializations.
Conclusion
The civil engineering profession offers strong earning potential across Alabama, with the median Civil Engineer salary reaching $114,578.50 USD annually—well above national averages. While a civil engineering degree provides a foundation, practical experience, professional licensure, and strategic location choices significantly influence salary levels.
Civil engineering remains one of the oldest and most stable engineering professions, with senior engineers encountering considerable advancement opportunities as project managers, and new challenges from bigger, disaster-resistant structures creating ongoing employment prospects. The field also offers opportunities for civil engineering technicians to progress in their careers and potentially transition into full engineering roles with additional education and experience.
For civil engineers looking to maximize their earning potential in Alabama, focus on developing expertise in the state’s priority areas: water infrastructure, transportation systems, and emerging sustainable technologies. The combination of significant infrastructure challenges and substantial public investment creates an environment where skilled civil engineers can build both meaningful careers and strong financial futures.
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