Are you contemplating a career in civil engineering in Maryland, or curious about how your current compensation stacks up against the market?
We’ve analyzed 528 civil engineering positions across Maryland to bring you the most comprehensive salary data for 2025. This guide exploresCivil Engineering Salary in Maryland, and the key factors that influence compensation in the Old Line State.
Average Civil Engineer Salary in Maryland
The median civil engineer salary in Maryland stands at $110,000 per year or $52.88 per hour, representing a significant opportunity in the engineering field. This figure not only reflects the strong demand for civil engineering talent but also positions Maryland as an attractive state for engineering professionals.
Salary Range Overview
Factors Influencing Civil Engineers Salaries
Required Educational Level and Civil Engineer Qualifications
The education data reveals a compelling story about the return on investment for advanced degrees:
What’s particularly noteworthy is that while a bachelor’s degree dominates the requirements landscape, the salary premium for advanced education is substantial. Master’s degree holders earn approximately 11% more than their bachelor’s counterparts, while the rare PhD positions command a 42% premium over bachelor’s degree salaries.
This data suggests that for civil engineers looking to boost their earning potential without pursuing management roles, investing in graduate education can be a strategic move. Civil engineering salaries are high, reflecting the field’s significant barriers to entry. A bachelor’s degree in engineering is considered a minimum qualification, although many firms strongly prefer candidates with internship experience in areas such as structural engineering, transportation engineering, or sewage systems design.
Remote Work Status and Its Impact on Compensation
The shift toward flexible work arrangements has reached civil engineering, though the field remains predominantly on-site:
| Work Arrangement | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Number of Positions (% Share) |
|---|---|---|
| On-site | $109,157 | 356 (67.4%) |
| Hybrid | $117,192 | 161 (30.5%) |
| Remote | $118,478 | 10 (1.9%) |
Surprisingly, remote and hybrid positions offer higher average salaries than traditional on-site roles. This 8-9% premium likely reflects the scarcity of fully remote civil engineering positions and the specialized nature of work that can be performed remotely, such as design and project management tasks for building construction or transportation engineering projects.
Required Years of Experience and Civil Engineer Wage Progression
The salary progression tells a story of accelerating returns. While the jump from entry-level to 2 years represents a substantial 28% increase, the real acceleration happens after year 5, where each additional year of experience can add $10,000-$15,000 to annual compensation. This is when many engineers transition into senior civil engineer or even chief civil engineer positions.
| Years of Experience | Percentage of Jobs | Number of Positions |
|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 12.63% | 49 |
| 1 year | 3.87% | 15 |
| 2 years | 12.63% | 49 |
| 3 years | 13.92% | 54 |
| 4 years | 11.08% | 43 |
| 5 years | 27.32% | 106 |
| 6 years | 4.90% | 19 |
| 8 years | 8.76% | 34 |
The concentration of positions requiring 5 years of experience (27.32%) represents a critical career milestone. This “sweet spot” suggests that employers view five years as the threshold for independent, high-value contribution, often coinciding with the transition to a senior civil engineer role.
Seniority Level and Total Pay
The progression from internship to principal represents a 244% increase in compensation. But what if you’re already at the median? The data shows that moving from mid-level to senior civil engineer roles offers the steepest single jump, a 27% increase that typically coincides with obtaining Professional Engineer (PE) licensure and taking on project leadership responsibilities in areas like structural engineering or transportation engineering.
Cities with Highest Civil Engineer Salary in Maryland
| City | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Fulton | $144,319 | $69.39 |
| Timonium | $138,963 | $66.81 |
| Baltimore County | $137,500 | $66.11 |
| Laurel | $133,610 | $64.24 |
| Belcamp | $132,900 | $63.89 |
| Silver Spring | $128,051 | $61.56 |
| Germantown | $127,900 | $61.49 |
| Baltimore | $115,437 | $55.50 |
Fulton leads the pack with salaries 31% above the state median, likely due to its proximity to both Washington D.C. and Baltimore, creating a competitive market for talent. The concentration of federal contractors and infrastructure projects in these areas drives up compensation for all civil engineering specialties, including those focused on building construction and sewage systems.
We’ve identified 10 cities where the typical salary for an Entry Level Civil Engineer job is above the average in Maryland. Topping the list is Frostburg, with Odenton and Severn close behind in second and third. Severn beats the Maryland average by 14.5%, and Frostburg furthers that trend with another 13251 (18.6%) above the $71,362.
Top Paying Companies in Maryland
| Company | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| AtkinsRéalis | $160,000 | $76.92 |
| X-energy | $146,224 | $70.30 |
| City of Gaithersburg | $145,000 | $69.71 |
| AECOM | $139,735 | $67.18 |
| HDR | $139,585 | $67.11 |
| Toole Design Group | $139,375 | $67.01 |
| RS&H | $138,963 | $66.81 |
| Envista Forensics | $137,500 | $66.11 |
These organisations represent diverse sectors within civil engineering, from nuclear energy infrastructure (X-energy) to sustainable transportation design (Toole Design Group). The top paying company in Government & Public Administration for Civil Engineer is Maryland Department of Transportation, which offers competitive salaries for transportation engineers.
The premium these companies offer—often 30-45% above the state median reflects specialised expertise requirements and project complexity. For instance, AtkinsRéalis’s top position likely stems from their involvement in complex infrastructure megaprojects requiring advanced technical skills and security clearances, often seeking experienced structural engineers and chief civil engineers.
How to Maximise Your Salary Potential
Based on our comprehensive data analysis, here are strategies to optimise your civil engineer salary in Maryland:
Immediate Actions (0-2 years experience)
- Begin preparing for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam immediately
- Another shift in the market is the growing emphasis on digital tools. Civil engineers who are proficient in AutoCAD Civil 3D, GIS software, and BIM platforms are seeing more doors open, especially in firms that are adopting smart city concepts and data-driven design
Mid-Career Strategies (3-7 years)
- Pursue PE licensure: This credential typically coincides with the largest salary jumps and opportunities for senior civil engineer positions
- Consider graduate education: The 11% premium for master’s degrees compounds over a career
Senior-Level Advancement (8+ years)
- Develop management skills: The leap to lead and manager roles offers substantial compensation increases
- Specialize in high-demand areas: Infrastructure resilience, sustainable design, and smart city technologies
- Build industry connections: Engineering jobs are in high demand with workers receiving generous compensation packages and bonuses. Engineering offers ample opportunity for growth and development with transferable skills across an array of fields
Explore our article detailing the most required Civil Engineering Skills in 2025
The data presented in this article was compiled through an analysis of 528 civil engineering positions across Maryland. Salaries, required education levels, experience expectations, seniority titles, and locations were extracted and analyzed to identify trends and calculate average and median figures. The analysis was completed for 2025, providing the most up-to-date information on civil engineer wages in Maryland.
Conclusion
The civil engineering profession in Maryland offers robust earning potential, with a median salary of $110,000 that significantly exceeds many other professional fields. While education provides the foundation, strategic career moves, particularly around the 5-year experience mark and PE licensure, can dramatically accelerate earnings, especially for those aiming for senior civil engineer or chief civil engineer positions.
Remember, these numbers tell only part of the story. Your individual path will depend on your interests, skills, and career goals. Use this data as a compass, not a map—let it guide your decisions while you chart your own unique course in Maryland’s dynamic civil engineering landscape.
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