Are you considering a career in civil engineering in Colorado, or looking to benchmark your current compensation in the Centennial State?
We have conducted a comprehensive analysis of 505 civil engineering positions across Colorado to provide insights into the civil engineer salary landscape. This article details the Civil Engineer Salary in Colorado for 2025, exploring how much civil engineers make and the key factors that influence compensation as revealed by the data.
Average Civil Engineers Salary in Colorado
The median civil engineer salary in Colorado is $110,000 per year or $52.88 per hour. Interestingly, this median salary is higher than the national average of $101,160, highlighting Colorado’s competitive compensation landscape for civil engineering professionals, including those in specialized roles like structural engineering and transportation engineering.
Salary Range Overview
Factors Influencing Civil Engineer pay
Educational Level
Average Salary by Education Level
The data reveals a clear correlation between educational attainment and compensation. While a bachelor’s degree is the foundation for most positions, including entry-level civil engineer jobs, pursuing advanced education can significantly boost your earning potential. Master’s degree holders earn approximately 10.8% more than those with bachelor’s degrees, while PhD holders command a 23% premium. This demonstrates the value of continued education in civil engineering, particularly for specialized fields like structural engineering or transportation engineering, though the ROI should be carefully considered against the time and cost investment.
Education Requirements Distribution
Civil engineering positions in Colorado predominantly require a bachelor’s degree, with over 68% of positions listing this as the minimum requirement. The significant presence of master’s degree requirements (30%) suggests that Colorado’s civil engineering market values advanced education, particularly for specialized roles in areas like structural analysis, environmental engineering, or transportation planning.
Years of Experience
Here’s where it gets interesting: the data shows a significant 20.8% salary jump between years 1 and 2, suggesting that the transition from fresh graduate to proven professional is highly valued by employers. Another notable increase occurs at the 5-6 year mark, where salaries jump by 10.4%. This likely reflects the point where many engineers obtain their Professional Engineer (P.E.) license, which typically requires 4 years of experience after graduation. This progression applies to various civil engineering specializations, including structural engineers and those working on building construction projects.
| Years of Experience | Percentage of Jobs | Number of Positions |
|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 9.60% | 38 |
| 1 year | 6.31% | 25 |
| 2 years | 13.38% | 53 |
| 3 years | 11.36% | 45 |
| 4 years | 13.38% | 53 |
| 5 years | 15.66% | 62 |
| 6 years | 7.58% | 30 |
| 8 years | 11.87% | 47 |
Seniority Level
The progression from internship to executive level represents a remarkable 234% increase in compensation. The data reveals that the biggest leap occurs between entry-level and mid-level positions (26.4% increase), emphasizing the value of those first few years of experience. Interestingly, principal engineers earn slightly less than senior civil engineers, which might reflect different career tracks—technical expertise versus management responsibilities. This progression also applies to specialized roles such as senior structural engineers or chief civil engineers overseeing large-scale projects.
Remote Work
| Work Arrangement | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Number of Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Onsite | $108,799 | 318 |
| Hybrid | $121,895 | 174 |
| Remote | $133,534 | 10 |
The data presents a fascinating trend: remote positions offer 22.7% higher salaries than onsite roles. However, with only 10 fully remote positions out of 505, these opportunities remain rare in civil engineering, including for structural engineers and those working on building construction projects. Hybrid arrangements, offering the best of both worlds, provide a 12% salary premium over onsite work and represent 34.5% of available positions, suggesting this may be the future of civil engineering work arrangements, even for roles involving sewage systems and transportation engineering.
Location
| City | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Highlands Ranch | $189,097 | $90.91 |
| Center | $156,589 | $75.28 |
| Wheat Ridge | $143,275 | $68.88 |
| Sheridan | $135,000 | $64.90 |
| Louisville | $126,900 | $61.01 |
| Greenwood Village | $126,185 | $60.67 |
| Canon City | $123,500 | $59.38 |
| Thornton | $121,680 | $58.50 |
| Berthoud | $120,000 | $57.69 |
| Denver | $119,105 | $57.26 |
While Denver’s average civil engineer salary of $119,105 might seem modest compared to suburban areas, it’s worth noting that different sources report varying figures, with some showing Denver salaries as high as $103,062. Highlands Ranch leads with exceptional compensation, likely due to its concentration of high-end residential and commercial development projects. The premium in suburban areas may reflect the demand for engineers working on expanding infrastructure and development projects in these growing communities, including roles for structural engineers and those specializing in transportation engineering or sewage systems.
Top Paying Companies in Colorado
Understanding which companies offer the highest civil engineer salaries can help you target your job search strategically. Here’s a comprehensive look at the organizations leading in compensation:
| Company | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| YA Group | $207,500 | $99.76 |
| Arcadis | $189,097 | $90.91 |
| Geosyntec Consultants | $185,498 | $89.18 |
| South Platte Renew | $183,600 | $88.27 |
| Colliers Engineering & Design | $180,000 | $86.54 |
| Dewberry | $175,005 | $84.14 |
| Climate Finance Advisors (WSP) | $169,100 | $81.30 |
| ENGIE North America | $165,895 | $79.76 |
| Basis Partners | $165,000 | $79.33 |
| LJA | $165,000 | $79.33 |
| Jacobs | $160,160 | $77.00 |
These organizations span diverse sectors including environmental consulting, infrastructure design, water resources, and sustainable development. The presence of companies like Climate Finance Advisors and ENGIE North America highlights Colorado’s growing focus on sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy projects. Many of these top-paying firms are large, international consulting companies that can leverage their global resources to offer premium compensation packages for various civil engineering roles, including structural engineers and those specializing in building construction or transportation engineering.
How to Maximize Your Salary Potential
Based on our comprehensive data analysis, here are strategic approaches to optimize your civil engineer salary in Colorado:
Education Strategy
While 68% of positions require only a bachelor’s degree, the 10.8% salary premium for master’s degree holders suggests that selective advanced education can pay off. Consider pursuing a master’s in specialised areas like water resources, structural engineering, or sustainable design.
Experience Milestones
- Years 1-2: Focus on skill development and seek challenging projects. This period shows the steepest salary growth (20.8%)
- Year 4: Begin preparing for your P.E. exam
- Years 5-8: Consider specialization or leadership tracks as salaries increase significantly during this period, potentially leading to senior civil engineer or chief civil engineer roles
Geographic Arbitrage
Don’t overlook suburban markets. While Denver is the obvious choice, cities like Highlands Ranch offer 59% higher salaries. Consider the trade-offs:
- Higher salaries in suburbs may offset longer commutes
- Growing communities often have more infrastructure projects, including building construction and sewage systems
- Cost of living may be lower outside Denver proper
Explore our article detailing the most required Civil Engineering Skills in 2025
The data presented in this article was compiled through an analysis of 505 publicly available civil engineering salaries in Colorado. 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 July 2025, providing the most up-to-date information on civil engineer salaries in Colorado, including those for civil engineer jobs in various specializations.
Conclusion
The civil engineering profession in Colorado offers strong earning potential, with a median salary of $110,000 that exceeds both state and national averages. While education provides the foundation, strategic career moves—timing your experience gains, obtaining professional licensure, and targeting high-paying sectors—can significantly impact your compensation trajectory.
For civil engineers at all levels, from entry-level positions to senior civil engineers and chief civil engineers, Colorado presents unique opportunities. The state’s combination of ongoing development, environmental challenges, and quality of life continues to attract top engineering talent. By understanding these salary trends and positioning yourself strategically in areas like structural engineering, transportation engineering, and building construction, you can build a rewarding career in the Centennial State’s dynamic civil engineering landscape.
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