Are you considering a civil engineering career in New York, or wondering how your current compensation stacks up against the market?
We’ve analysed 1,104 civil engineering positions across New York to bring you the inside story on engineering salaries in the Empire State. This comprehensive guide explores the Civil Engineer Salary in New York for 2025, revealing not just the numbers, but the career strategies that can help you maximise your earning potential.
Average Civil Engineer Salary in New York
The median civil engineer salary in New York stands at $97,500 USD per year or $46.88 USD per hour, positioning the state well above the national average. This represents a significant premium compared to the national average of $77,631, reflecting New York’s status as a major infrastructure hub and the higher cost of living in the region.
Salary Range Overview
Factors Influencing Civil Engineer Pay
Educational Level
Here’s where it gets interesting: PhD holders command the highest average salaries, but the difference between bachelor’s and master’s degrees is surprisingly narrow. This suggests that in New York’s civil engineering market, specialized expertise (PhD) or relevant work experience (bachelor’s + years on the job) may be more valuable than a generalist master’s degree.
The adoption of digital tools like BIM, AI, and GIS is creating opportunities for engineers skilled in these technologies, with this trend boosting starting salaries. Consider pursuing certifications in these emerging areas alongside traditional civil engineering degrees.
The data reveals that while a bachelor’s degree opens most doors (67% of positions), the investment in a civil engineering degree can pay significant dividends.
Years of Experience
Civil Engineer Salary by Years of Experience
The data reveals a crucial insight: the jump from 0 to 2 years represents a 31% salary increase, while the leap from 2 to 3 years adds another 7%. This 2-3 year mark appears to be when civil engineers transition from learning the ropes to leading projects independently.
By year 7, you’re looking at nearly 70% higher compensation than entry-level, a clear incentive to stick with the profession through the early career challenges.
Experience Requirements Distribution
| Years of Experience | Percentage of Jobs | Number of Positions |
|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 12.88% | 68 |
| 1 year | 19.32% | 102 |
| 2 years | 9.66% | 51 |
| 3 years | 11.55% | 61 |
| 4 years | 10.42% | 55 |
| 5 years | 19.70% | 104 |
The market shows strong demand for both entry-level (0-1 years) and mid-level (5 years) engineers, suggesting healthy career progression opportunities in the civil engineering career path.
Seniority Level
The progression from internship to executive represents a 205% increase in compensation. What’s particularly noteworthy is the acceleration of salary growth at senior levels—the jump from Senior to Manager is $15,000, while Manager to Executive adds another $29,000.
This data underscores an important career strategy: while technical skills get you to senior level, developing leadership and business acumen unlocks the highest compensation tiers. It’s worth noting that civil engineering technicians often start at lower salary levels but can progress to higher-paying roles with experience and additional qualifications.
Remote Work
| Work Arrangement | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Number of Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Onsite | $101,584 | 862 |
| Hybrid | $110,644 | 221 |
| Remote | $122,738 | 21 |
In a surprising twist, remote positions offer 21% higher salaries than onsite roles. This could reflect several factors:
- Companies competing nationally for remote talent must match higher regional salaries
- Remote positions may require more senior, self-directed professionals with strong organizational skills
- The scarcity of fully remote civil engineering roles creates a premium
However, with only 21 remote positions (1.9% of total), these opportunities remain rare in a field that often requires site visits and hands-on project oversight.
Location
| City | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Eastchester | $155,000 | $74.52 |
| Floral Park | $155,000 | $74.52 |
| Oswego | $142,500 | $68.51 |
| Westchester County | $138,901 | $66.78 |
| Huntington Station | $132,500 | $63.70 |
| Mineola | $132,500 | $63.70 |
| Valhalla | $132,109 | $63.51 |
| Brentwood | $125,000 | $60.10 |
| New Rochelle | $125,000 | $60.10 |
| Syosset | $125,000 | $60.10 |
The geographic data reveals that suburbs and smaller cities often outpay Manhattan—Eastchester and Floral Park lead with $155,000 average salaries. This counterintuitive finding likely reflects:
- Lower competition for talent in suburban areas
- Specialized infrastructure projects in these regions
- Cost-of-living adjustments that overcompensate for urban-suburban differences
With New York’s urban development and infrastructure renewal projects, civil engineering has become a highly sought-after profession, as engineers oversee critical infrastructure projects, manage transportation systems, and contribute to nonresidential building construction efforts.
Top Paying Companies in New York
| Company | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| KS Engineers | $199,500 | $95.91 |
| APTIM | $175,000 | $84.13 |
| Wade Trim | $171,600 | $82.50 |
| Arup | $169,325 | $81.41 |
| NYC School Construction Authority | $165,000 | $79.33 |
| EverHire | $160,000 | $76.92 |
| Heron Wolf | $160,000 | $76.92 |
| Hays | $145,833 | $70.11 |
| Constellation | $142,500 | $68.51 |
| SNIPEBRIDGE | $142,500 | $68.51 |
The companies topping our salary list share several characteristics:
- Specialized expertise: KS Engineers and APTIM focus on complex infrastructure projects
- Public sector connections: The NYC School Construction Authority offers competitive salaries with government benefits
- International reach: Firms like Arup bring global project experience and corresponding compensation
What’s particularly interesting is the $54,000 gap between the top and tenth-highest paying companies—choosing your employer wisely can mean a 38% salary difference for similar work.
How to Maximize Your Civil Engineer Salary Potential
Based on our comprehensive analysis, here are actionable strategies to optimise your civil engineering compensation in New York:
Strategic Skill Development: Pursuing specialised certifications can significantly impact salary, with courses in project management, structural design, and construction technologies making you more competitive. Consider certifications like PMP or LEED to broaden your skill set.
Navigate Career Inflexion Points: Our data shows critical salary jumps at:
- 2-3 years: Focus on leading your first independent projects
- 5-7 years: Pursue senior roles or specialised expertise
- 10+ years: Develop management skills or deep technical specialisation
Location Strategy: Don’t overlook suburban opportunities, our data shows Eastchester and Floral Park outpay NYC by nearly 25%.
Explore our detailed article on the Civil Engineering Skills Required in 2025
Industry Context and Future Trends
Emerging Opportunities
With more than 4,000 completed public buildings and infrastructure projects in NYC’s portfolio showing no signs of slowing down, DDC has openings in engineering, architecture, construction management, and urban planning. The nonresidential building construction sector is particularly robust, offering numerous opportunities for civil engineers.
The AI Factor
While AI won’t replace civil engineers, those who master AI tools will likely replace those who don’t. Early adopters of computational design and automated analysis tools report 20-30% productivity gains—leverage that translates directly to higher compensation.
Data Methodology
Our analysis examined 1,104 publicly available civil engineering positions across New York State, compiled in May 2025. We extracted salaries, education requirements, experience levels, seniority titles, and geographic data to identify trends and calculate comprehensive compensation metrics. We also referenced the ASCE salary calculator and ASCE salary report to validate our findings and provide additional context for engineering salaries.
Conclusion
The civil engineering profession in New York offers strong earning potential with a median salary of $97,500—well above the national average. But the real story lies in the opportunities for growth: from entry-level to executive positions, we see a 205% increase in compensation.
Success in this market requires more than technical skills. The engineers commanding top salaries combine:
- Strategic skill development in emerging technologies
- Careful navigation of career milestones
- Smart choices about location and sector
- Continuous learning and adaptation
The future for civil engineers in New York is bright, with substantial growth projected across multiple sectors. Whether you’re just starting your civil engineering career or looking to level up, the data shows clear pathways to higher compensation.
The question isn’t whether you can earn more—it’s which strategy you’ll choose to get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
