Are you considering a career in civil engineering in Minnesota, or looking to benchmark your current compensation?
We have conducted a comprehensive analysis of 547 civil engineering positions across Minnesota to provide insights into the civil engineer salary landscape. This article details the Civil Engineer Salary in Minnesota 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 Minnesota
The median civil engineer salary in Minnesota is $104,905 USD per year or $50.43 USD per hour, significantly higher than national averages which range around $97,892 to $103,730. This figure provides insight into how much civil engineers make in Minnesota and serves as a benchmark for civil engineering salaries in the state.
Salary Range Overview
Factors Influencing Civil Engineer Pay
Educational Level
The education data reveals compelling insights about the civil engineering salary progression in Minnesota:
The data reveals that while a bachelor’s degree is sufficient for most positions, pursuing advanced education can lead to significantly higher compensation. Entry-level civil engineers with bachelor’s degrees typically start around $75,901 annually, with ranges from $64,820 to $87,746. Master’s degree holders earn approximately 10% more than bachelor’s degree holders, while PhD holders command over 37% higher salaries.
Here’s where it gets interesting: The relatively small percentage of PhD holders (0.63%) suggests that while a doctorate can significantly boost your civil engineer pay, it’s not necessary for most positions in Minnesota’s market.
Civil engineering positions in Minnesota predominantly require a bachelor’s degree, with over 81% of positions listing this as the minimum requirement. The substantial salary range ($30,400 difference between entry and experienced levels) suggests many opportunities for advancement based on skill level, location, and experience.
Years of Experience
The data shows a significant salary jump between years 2 and 3, where civil engineers see their compensation increase by over 23%. This suggests that the transition from junior to intermediate level represents a critical career milestone for civil engineers in Minnesota, significantly impacting how much a civil engineer makes as they gain work experience.
But what if you’re already at the median? The experience progression data shows that patience and strategic career moves pay off. The most dramatic increases occur at the 3-year mark and again at the 6-7 year mark, suggesting natural promotion cycles in the industry.
| Years of Experience | Percentage of Jobs | Number of Positions |
|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 11.37% | 44 |
| 1 year | 10.34% | 40 |
| 2 years | 11.37% | 44 |
| 3 years | 10.08% | 39 |
| 4 years | 16.54% | 64 |
| 5 years | 23.26% | 90 |
| 6 years | 5.43% | 21 |
| 8 years | 6.20% | 24 |
Seniority Level
The average civil engineer salary progression from entry-level to executive represents a 105% 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, design engineer, and engineering manager.
We know job searching can be overwhelming, but here’s some encouraging news: the clear salary progression shows that civil engineering offers reliable career growth. The data suggests that reaching senior level can more than double your earning potential compared to entry-level positions.
Remote Work
One of the most striking findings in our analysis is the impact of remote work flexibility on civil engineer pay:
Civil Engineer Salary by Work Arrangement
| Work Status | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Number of Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Onsite | $99,254 | 370 |
| Remote | $107,586 | 8 |
| Hybrid | $119,037 | 168 |
The data reveals that hybrid positions command the highest premiums, with salaries nearly 20% higher than traditional onsite roles. This reflects the evolving nature of civil engineering work, where site visits remain essential, but design, analysis, and project management can often be performed remotely.
But here’s the catch: Remote opportunities remain limited (only 8 positions in our dataset), while hybrid roles represent a growing segment (168 positions). This suggests that the future of civil engineering lies in flexible arrangements that balance field requirements with office-based technical work.
Location
| City | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Newport | $165,000 | $79.33 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul | $160,000 | $76.92 |
| Mendota Heights | $131,950 | $63.44 |
| Hennepin | $125,600 | $60.38 |
| Carver | $122,500 | $58.89 |
| Northeast Saint Louis | $118,000 | $56.73 |
| Apple Valley | $117,896 | $56.68 |
| Minneapolis | $116,883 | $56.19 |
| St Paul | $116,063 | $55.80 |
| Plymouth | $110,815 | $53.28 |
Newport and Minneapolis-St. Paul areas lead with the highest civil engineer salaries in Minnesota, with Newport offering $165,000 annually. Cities like Chaska, Shakopee, and Elk River also pay above the state average, with opportunities for economic advancement by changing locations appearing exceedingly fruitful.
This geographic variation often reflects local infrastructure needs and industry concentrations. Minnesota’s transportation network is severely underfunded, and the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) will help, but local and state funding is necessary to bring roads, bridges, and transit networks up to speed. This infrastructure investment creates premium opportunities for civil engineers in key metropolitan areas.
Top Paying Companies in Minnesota
Here’s where the rubber meets the road – literally and figuratively. The top companies that consistently offer above-average civil engineer salaries in Minnesota represent some of the highest paying civil engineering jobs in the state:
| Company | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Guidance Groove | $165,000 | $79.33 |
| AECOM | $160,417 | $77.13 |
| WSP in the U.S | $155,605 | $74.81 |
| Hatch | $150,000 | $72.12 |
| Trilon Group | $147,500 | $70.91 |
| AEC Resources | $147,000 | $70.67 |
| Michael Baker International | $145,891 | $70.14 |
| Donohue & Associates | $142,500 | $68.51 |
| Bloom Companies | $135,000 | $64.91 |
| Jobs via Dice | $133,333 | $64.10 |
| Jacobs | $131,950 | $63.44 |
| Arcadis | $131,004 | $62.98 |
| Carver County | $127,868 | $61.48 |
| Jobot | $126,000 | $60.57 |
| RS&H | $125,600 | $60.38 |
These organizations span diverse sectors including engineering consultancies, government agencies, and specialized technical services. Top civil engineering companies in Minnesota include WSB, SRF Consulting Group, Short Elliott Hendrickson, and Bolton & Menk, with proven track records delivering successful projects across transportation, energy, healthcare, and education sectors.
Here’s what’s particularly interesting: Many of these top-paying companies are global engineering consultancies (AECOM, WSP, Jacobs, Arcadis) that compete for talent on an international scale, driving up local salaries. This creates a rising tide effect that benefits the entire Minnesota civil engineering market.
How to Maximize Your Civil Engineer Salary Potential
Based on our comprehensive data analysis, we recommend the following strategies to optimize your civil engineer salary in Minnesota:
- Target the 2-3 Year Experience Mark – The most significant salary increase occurs at this career stage, jumping from $83,194 to $102,737
- Pursue Selective Advanced Education – Master’s degrees provide solid ROI, while PhDs offer the highest premiums for specialized roles
- Develop Leadership Skills – Progression to senior and management roles offers the highest compensation potential
- Seek Hybrid Work Arrangements – These positions command 20% salary premiums over traditional onsite roles
Explore our article detailing the most required Civil Engineering Skills in 2025
The data presented in this article was compiled through an analysis of 547 publicly available civil engineering salaries in Minnesota. 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 May 2025, providing the most up-to-date information on how much civil engineers make in Minnesota.
Conclusion
The civil engineering profession offers strong earning potential across Minnesota, with the median civil engineer salary reaching $104,905 USD annually – well above national averages. While education provides a foundation, experience and specialization significantly influence salary levels. Location choices, work arrangements, 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. Changing economic conditions, lower interest rates, and falling inflation may reduce project financing costs, encouraging both public and private sector investments in construction.
Understanding these salary trends and market dynamics will help you negotiate competitive compensation packages and advance your career effectively in Minnesota’s growing civil engineering market.
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