Are you considering a career in civil engineering in Ohio, or wondering if your current compensation is competitive in today’s market?
We’ve conducted a comprehensive analysis of 761 civil engineering positions across Ohio to bring you the most up-to-date insights into the civil engineer salary landscape. This article details civil engineer salaries and Civil Engineer Salary in Ohio, exploring how much civil engineers make and the key factors that influence compensation.
Average Civil Engineer Salary in Ohio
The median civil engineer salary in Ohio is $103,000 per year or $49.52 per hour. This figure represents a substantial benchmark for civil engineering professionals and provides insight into how much civil engineers earn in the Buckeye State, whether they’re working on building construction, transportation infrastructure, or sewage systems.
Salary Range Overview
Factors Influencing Civil Engineering Salaries
Educational Level
Average Salary by Education Level
Here’s where it gets interesting: while master’s degree holders earn about 15% more than bachelor’s degree holders, those with certifications earn competitive salaries at around $75,026. This suggests that specialised technical certifications can provide a viable alternative path for professionals looking to boost their civil engineering salaries without pursuing graduate education.
Education Requirements Distribution
Civil engineering positions in Ohio predominantly require a bachelor’s degree, with over 78% of positions listing this as the minimum requirement. The relatively small percentage requiring PhDs (1.46%) indicates that the field values practical experience over extensive academic credentials for most roles, including civil engineer jobs in building construction and transportation engineering.
Years of Experience
The data reveals a crucial career milestone: civil engineers see their compensation increase by over 26% between years 1 and 3, jumping from approximately $79,000 to $100,000. But what if you’re already at the median? The data shows another significant leap at the 8-year mark, where salaries jump to nearly $140,000, a reminder that persistence and expertise development pay dividends in this field, whether you’re a structural engineer working on building construction or a transportation engineer designing infrastructure.
| Years of Experience | Percentage of Jobs | Number of Positions |
|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 9.55% | 60 |
| 1 year | 5.41% | 34 |
| 2 years | 10.51% | 66 |
| 3 years | 10.19% | 64 |
| 4 years | 9.55% | 60 |
| 5 years | 19.43% | 122 |
| 6 years | 3.50% | 22 |
| 7 years | 3.03% | 19 |
| 8 years | 9.71% | 61 |
| 10+ years | 13.54% | 85 |
Seniority Level
The progression from internship to management represents a remarkable 220% increase in compensation. The jump from entry-level to mid-level (37% increase) highlights the value of those critical first few years of experience, while the leap to management positions offers the highest earning potential for civil engineers willing to take on leadership responsibilities. As you progress in your career, you might move from a junior role to a senior civil engineer position, and eventually to a chief civil engineer role, each step bringing significant salary increases.
Remote Work
| Work Status | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Number of Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Onsite | $99,213 | 576 |
| Remote | $122,019 | 13 |
| Hybrid | $114,965 | 172 |
Here’s a game-changer for your career strategy: remote civil engineering positions offer a 23% salary premium over onsite roles. While only 1.7% of positions are fully remote, the hybrid model (22.6% of positions) still provides a 16% salary advantage. This trend reflects the industry’s recognition that flexibility is valuable and that companies must pay premium rates to attract talent willing to work remotely on complex engineering projects, whether in structural engineering, building construction, or sewage systems design.
Location
| City | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Blacklick Estates | $150,000 | $72.12 |
| Avon Lake | $140,442 | $67.52 |
| Sharon Center | $135,000 | $64.90 |
| New Albany | $124,801 | $60.00 |
| Westerville | $124,000 | $59.62 |
| Independence | $115,500 | $55.53 |
| Lima | $115,500 | $55.53 |
| Beachwood | $112,500 | $54.09 |
| Columbus | $110,525 | $53.14 |
| Sidney | $110,000 | $52.88 |
Blacklick Estates leads Ohio with the highest civil engineering wages, offering 46% above the state median. This Columbus suburb’s premium likely reflects its proximity to major infrastructure projects and government contracts, including those related to sewage systems and transportation engineering. Interestingly, Lima, a smaller city, matches larger cities like Independence in compensation, suggesting that talent scarcity in smaller markets can drive competitive salaries for various civil engineer jobs.
Top Paying Companies in Ohio
The compensation landscape varies dramatically across employers. Here are the organisations offering the most competitive civil engineer salaries:
| Company | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Trillium Professional | $190,000 | $91.35 |
| Amazon Web Services (AWS) | $170,700 | $82.07 |
| RINA | $163,333 | $78.52 |
| Atwell | $160,000 | $76.92 |
| Goodwin Recruiting | $142,500 | $68.51 |
| Impact Employment Solutions | $140,442 | $67.52 |
| Metric Geo | $140,000 | $67.31 |
| Jacobs | $137,468 | $66.09 |
| McMillen | $132,500 | $63.70 |
| Selectek | $132,500 | $63.70 |
The data reveals that specialised consulting firms and tech companies lead the compensation race. Trillium Professional tops the list at $190,000, nearly double the state median. AWS’s presence highlights how tech companies are disrupting traditional civil engineering compensation models, likely hiring for infrastructure and data centre projects. Traditional engineering firms like Jacobs and McMillen remain competitive but typically offer 30-40% less than top payers. These companies offer various civil engineer jobs, from structural engineer positions to roles in transportation engineering and sewage systems management.
How to Maximise Your Salary Potential
Based on our comprehensive data analysis, here are strategic approaches to optimise your civil engineer salary in Ohio:
Education ROI Calculation
- Bachelor’s Degree: Essential baseline earning $101,504 average
- Master’s Degree: 15% salary premium ($15,475 additional annually)
- ROI Timeline: A master’s degree typically pays for itself within 3-4 years
- Alternative Path: Professional certifications offer strong returns without graduate school debt
Geographic Arbitrage Strategies
Consider these location-based approaches:
- Suburban Premium: Cities like Blacklick Estates and Avon Lake offer 35-45% above the state median
- Cost-of-Living Play: Lima offers competitive salaries with significantly lower living costs
- Columbus Corridor: Westerville, New Albany, and Gahanna provide strong salaries with reasonable commutes
Remote Work Negotiation
We know negotiation can be anxiety-inducing, but the data is on your side:
- Remote positions command 23% premiums—use this as leverage
- Hybrid arrangements offer a middle ground with 16% salary advantages
- Even negotiating 1-2 days of remote work could justify 5-10% salary increases
Explore our article detailing the most required Civil Engineering Skills in 2025
Future Trends in Civil Engineering Salaries
The civil engineering field in Ohio is evolving rapidly, with several factors likely to impact future compensation:
Infrastructure Investment Impact
The federal infrastructure bill is channelling billions into Ohio projects, creating talent scarcity that should drive salaries upward through 2027. This is particularly true for transportation engineers and those working on sewage systems and other critical infrastructure.
Technology Integration
Engineers skilled in AI-assisted design, drone surveying, and digital twin technology are positioned for premium compensation as these tools become standard in building construction and other civil engineering disciplines.
Sustainability Premium
Green infrastructure expertise increasingly commands 10-15% salary premiums as cities prioritise climate-resilient design. This trend affects all areas of civil engineering, from structural engineering to transportation infrastructure planning.
The data presented in this article was compiled through an analysis of 761 publicly available civil engineering salaries in Ohio. 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 current information on civil engineer pay in the state.
Conclusion
The civil engineering profession in Ohio offers robust earning potential, with a median salary of $103,000 that significantly exceeds many other technical fields. While education provides the foundation, our data reveals that strategic career moves—whether geographic relocation, remote work negotiation, or timely job changes at the 3-year and 8-year marks—can dramatically impact lifetime earnings.
For civil engineers navigating career decisions, remember that compensation is more than just numbers. Consider work-life balance, project variety, and growth opportunities alongside salary data. The strongest career strategies combine competitive compensation with roles that develop marketable expertise for future opportunities, whether you’re aiming to become a senior civil engineer, chief civil engineer, or specialise in areas like structural engineering or transportation engineering.
Frequently Asked Questions
