Civil Engineer Salary in Florida: A Comprehensive Guide for 2025

This article details the Civil Engineer Salary in Florida: A Comprehensive Guide for 2025, exploring how much civil engineers make and the key factors that influence engineering salary as revealed by the data.

Civil Engineer Salary in Florida

Are you considering a civil engineering career in Florida, or looking to benchmark your current compensation?

We have conducted a comprehensive analysis of 853 civil engineering positions across Florida to provide insights into the civil engineering salary landscape. This article details the Civil Engineer Salary in Florida: A Comprehensive Guide for 2025, exploring how much civil engineers make and the key factors that influence engineering salary as revealed by the data.

Average Civil Engineer Salary in Florida

The median civil engineering salary in Florida is $102,500 per year or $49.28 per hour. This figure provides insight into civil engineering pay in the Sunshine State and serves as a benchmark for civil engineering compensation in the region.

Salary Range Overview

Average Civil Engineer Salary in Florida
Average Civil Engineer Salary in Florida

Educational Level

Average Salary by Education Level

The data reveals a clear education premium in Florida’s civil engineering market. While a civil engineering degree at the bachelor’s level remains the standard entry point, pursuing advanced education can significantly boost earning potential.

Florida Civil Engineer Salary by Education

Education LevelAverage Annual Salary (USD)Average Hourly Rate (USD)Master's Degree$121,282$58.31Bachelor's Degree$102,291$49.18Associate Degree$75,573$36.33
Florida Civil Engineer Salary by Education

Here’s where it gets interesting: Florida’s construction industry continues to benefit from federal infrastructure investments like the IIJA, creating sustained demand for qualified civil engineers. This means that those with advanced degrees are particularly well-positioned to capitalize on these investment opportunities, with master’s degree holders earning nearly 19% more than their bachelor’s degree counterparts.

Education Requirements Distribution

Florida Civil Engineers Required Education

Education LevelNumber of PositionsPercentageBachelor's Degree56977.52%Master's Degree15921.66%PhD60.82%
Florida Civil Engineers Required Education

Civil engineering positions in Florida predominantly require a bachelor’s degree, with over 77% of positions listing this as the minimum requirement. However, the salary premium for advanced education suggests that professionals should seriously consider pursuing graduate studies, especially early in their careers when the long-term ROI is maximized.

Years of Experience

Florida Civil Engineer Salary by Years of Experience

Years of ExperienceAverage Annual Salary (USD)0 years$73,5862 years$97,8823 years$107,7395 years$112,9736 years$115,784
Florida Civil Engineer Salary by Years of Experience

The data shows a critical career inflection point: The jump from 2 to 3 years of experience represents a 10% salary increase, suggesting that this is when many engineers transition from junior to intermediate-level responsibilities. But what if you’re already at the median and wondering about your next move? The progression continues to be steady through the 5-6 year mark, where compensation plateaus before requiring additional specialization or leadership development for further growth.

Years of ExperiencePercentage of JobsNumber of Positions
0 years15.36%104
1 year6.94%47
2 years13.44%91
3 years11.67%79
4 years11.37%77
5 years19.94%135
6 years3.25%22
7 years1.92%13
8 years5.47%37
10+ years7.98%54

We know job searching can be overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to time career moves strategically. The experience distribution reveals that 5 years is the sweet spot employers are targeting most frequently (19.94% of positions), making this an ideal time to leverage your relevant work experience for maximum compensation gain.

Seniority Level

Florida Civil Engineers Salaries by Seniority Level

Seniority LevelAverage Annual Salary (USD)Average Hourly Rate (USD)Manager$153,476$73.79Senior$125,351$60.27Mid-Level$105,530$50.74Entry-Level$80,704$38.80Internship$44,720$21.50
Florida Civil Engineers Salaries by Seniority Level

The progression from internship to manager level represents a 243% increase in compensation, highlighting the tremendous value of career advancement and leadership development in the civil engineering field. This progression tells a story of professional growth that goes beyond just technical competence – it reflects increasing responsibility for project outcomes, team leadership, and business impact.

Here’s what’s particularly striking: The jump from entry-level to mid-level ($24,826 increase) is actually larger than the jump from mid-level to senior ($19,821 increase), suggesting that gaining core competency yields the biggest initial returns, while senior-level progression requires more specialized skills or leadership capabilities.

Remote Work

Civil Engineer Salary by Work Arrangement

Work TypeAverage Annual Salary (USD)Number of Positions
Remote$116,25012
Hybrid$109,851109
Onsite$102,408732

This is fascinating: Remote civil engineering positions command a 13.5% salary premium over onsite roles, despite representing only 1.4% of available positions. The integration of advanced technologies like BIM, AI-driven automation, and digital collaboration tools is revolutionizing how civil engineering projects are conceptualized and executed, making remote work increasingly feasible for certain aspects of civil engineering.

The hybrid model, representing nearly 13% of positions, offers a compelling middle ground, providing flexibility while maintaining the collaborative and site-visit requirements inherent to many civil engineering projects.

Location

Top Florida Cities for Civil Engineer Compensation

CityAverage Annual Salary (USD)Average Hourly Rate (USD)
Port Saint Lucie$228,800$110.00
Port St Lucie$160,000$76.92
Maitland$150,000$72.12
Palm Beach$150,000$72.12
Fort Pierce$130,000$62.50
Hollywood$128,960$62.00
Gainesville$127,679$61.38
Jacksonville$127,546$61.32
Plant City$125,000$60.10
Tallahassee$124,852$60.03
Jacksonville Beach$123,760$59.50
Melbourne$123,760$59.50
St. Petersburg$121,450$58.39
Miami$117,417$56.45
Highlands$112,999$54.33

Port Saint Lucie leads with an exceptional average salary that’s more than double the state median. This premium likely reflects specific market dynamics – perhaps major infrastructure projects, specialized industry needs, or simply a tight labor market for qualified civil engineers in the region.

But here’s the strategic consideration: Florida’s population of over 21 million creates constantly growing demand for infrastructure, with significant state investment in transportation projects like highways, bridges, and airports. Cities like Jacksonville, Gainesville, and Miami offer strong salaries while providing access to larger professional networks and diverse project types that can accelerate career development.

For professionals considering relocation, it’s worth noting that while Miami offers a lower average salary ($117,417), the city’s size and diversity of opportunities may provide better long-term career prospects than smaller, higher-paying markets.

Top Paying Companies in Florida

Florida’s civil engineering market features a diverse range of employers, from specialized contractors to major consulting firms. Here are the organizations consistently offering above-average civil engineering compensation:

Highest Paying Employers

CompanyAverage Annual Salary (USD)Average Hourly Rate (USD)
Caulfield & Wheeler$228,800$110.00
Metric Geo$215,000$103.37
Petticoat-Schmitt Civil Contractors$200,000$96.15
Woodard & Curran$175,000$84.13
City of Gainesville$169,538$81.51
LHH$157,500$75.72
Pistorino & Alam$147,500$70.91
SEH$145,000$69.71
Insight Global$137,500$66.11
Culpepper & Terpening, Inc$130,000$62.50
Stanley Consultants$126,450$60.79
McFarland Johnson$125,840$60.50
AECOM$125,750$60.46
CyberCoders$122,500$58.90
Woolpert$121,450$58.39

These organizations span diverse sectors including municipal government, specialized civil contractors, environmental consulting, and major engineering firms. The variation in compensation often reflects company size, project complexity, and specialization areas. For instance, Caulfield & Wheeler’s exceptional compensation likely reflects highly specialized expertise or niche market positioning.

Strategic insight: Notice that the City of Gainesville ranks among the top payers, challenging the assumption that public sector roles always lag private sector compensation. Government positions often provide additional benefits, job security, and pension contributions that aren’t reflected in base salary comparisons.

How to Maximize Your Civil Engineer Salary Potential

Based on our comprehensive data analysis, here are evidence-based strategies to optimize your civil engineering salary in Florida:

Pursue Advanced Education Strategically

While a bachelor’s degree opens doors, a master’s degree can increase your earning potential by nearly 19%. Time this investment early in your career when you can maximize the long-term ROI. According to ASCE salary reports, PE license holders earn significantly more than non-licensed engineers, with some studies showing $16,000+ annual premiums.

Target the 2-3 Year Experience Sweet Spot

The data shows meaningful salary jumps during this period. Use this timing to negotiate promotions or consider strategic job changes when your value is increasing rapidly but you haven’t yet hit experience-level plateaus.

Obtain Professional Certifications

Pursue your Professional Engineer (P.E.) license, it’s especially critical in civil engineering where public safety and infrastructure reliability are paramount. In Florida, this requires passing the FE exam, gaining 4 years of experience under a licensed PE, and passing the PE exam.

Explore our detailed article on the Civil Engineering Skills Required in 2025

Civil Engineering Skills Required in 2025
Civil Engineering Skills Required in 2025

The global civil engineering market is experiencing strong growth, valued at $9.16 trillion in 2023 and expected to reach $16.26 trillion by 2033, growing at 5.3% annually. For Florida civil engineers, several trends will likely influence future compensation:

Infrastructure Investment Impact

Lower interest rates and federal infrastructure investments through programs like the IIJA continue to encourage both public and private construction investments, creating sustained demand for qualified civil engineers.

Climate Resilience Focus

Florida’s focus on sustainable construction and climate resilience—including elevated foundations, hurricane-resistant design, and energy-efficient systems—is creating specialized opportunities that command premium compensation.

Technology Integration

Advanced BIM tools, augmented reality integration, and AI-driven project management are streamlining workflows and reducing design discrepancies, creating demand for tech-savvy engineers who can bridge traditional civil engineering with digital innovation.

Workforce Demographics

With 88% of Florida contractors struggling to find skilled workers, the talent shortage is driving up wages and creating opportunities for qualified professionals.

Nonresidential Building Construction

The growth in nonresidential building construction, including commercial, industrial, and institutional projects, is expected to drive demand for civil engineering expertise, potentially leading to increased salaries in this sector.

The data presented in this article was compiled through an analysis of 853 publicly available civil engineering salaries in Florida. 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 Florida.

Conclusion

The civil engineering profession offers strong earning potential across Florida, with the median civil engineering salary reaching $102,500 annually. While education provides a foundation, experience and specialization significantly influence salary levels. Geographic choices, company selection, and work arrangement preferences all have meaningful 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. Florida’s construction industry is well-positioned for continued growth, and understanding salary trends and market dynamics will help you negotiate competitive compensation packages and advance your career effectively.

The key insight from our analysis: Civil engineering in Florida isn’t just about building infrastructure. It’s about building a career that can weather economic cycles, embrace technological change, and contribute to the state’s continued growth and resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

According to our analysis of 853 civil engineering positions across Florida, the median civil engineering salary is $102,500 per year or $49.28 per hour. This figure represents the benchmark for civil engineering technicians as of 2025, though actual compensation varies based on education, experience, location, and industry sectors.

Education significantly impacts civil engineering salaries in Florida. While 77.5% of positions require only a bachelor’s degree (average salary $102,291), pursuing a master’s degree can increase earnings to an average of $121,282 annually—nearly 19% more than bachelor’s degree holders. Even associate degree holders can find entry opportunities, though at lower compensation levels averaging $75,573.

Port Saint Lucie leads with an exceptional average annual salary of $228,800, followed by Port St Lucie ($160,000) and Maitland/Palm Beach (both $150,000). Major metropolitan areas like Jacksonville ($127,546), Miami ($117,417), and St. Petersburg ($121,450) offer competitive salaries with additional benefits of larger professional networks and diverse project opportunities.

Experience dramatically influences compensation, with steady progression throughout the career arc. Entry-level engineers start around $73,586, with significant jumps occurring at the 2-3 year mark (reaching $97,882-$107,739). The most substantial growth occurs during the first five years, after which advancement requires additional specialization or leadership development to continue meaningful salary progression.

To maximize earning potential, focus on: obtaining your Professional Engineer (P.E.) license (which can add $16,000+ annually according to industry surveys), developing expertise in emerging technologies like BIM and sustainable design, considering high-paying locations like Port Saint Lucie or Maitland, pursuing leadership roles, and targeting companies like Caulfield & Wheeler, Metric Geo, or major consulting firms. Additionally, the data shows remote work commands a 13.5% salary premium when available.

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