Are you contemplating a career in civil engineering in Connecticut, or wondering if your current compensation aligns with market standards?
We’ve analyzed 323 civil engineer jobs across Connecticut to provide you with the most current insights into the civil engineer salary landscape. This article explores the civil engineer wage and Civil Engineers Salary in Connecticut for 2025, revealing what influences compensation and providing career guidance for both entry-level engineers and seasoned professionals.
Average Civil Engineers Salary in Connecticut
The average salary for a Civil Engineer is $73,881 per year in Connecticut, US. However, our comprehensive analysis of 323 civil engineer jobs reveals a median civil engineer salary of $119,200 USD per year or $57.31 USD per hour. This significant difference from other reported averages suggests that civil engineering salaries in Connecticut vary considerably based on specialisation, company, and location.
Salary Range Overview
Factors Influencing Civil Engineering Salary
Educational Level
Master’s degree holders earn approximately 16% more than those with bachelor’s degrees, while PhD holders command salaries 46% higher than bachelor’s degree holders. But what if you’re already working and can’t pursue a full-time graduate degree? Some related job titles are Civil Design Engineer Salaries with median pay of $83,894, Project Manager/Civil Engineer Salaries with median pay of $96,149, and Civil Engineer Salaries with median pay of $106,961, suggesting that specialisation through certifications or transitioning to hybrid roles can boost earnings without additional degrees.
The majority of civil engineer jobs in Connecticut require a bachelor’s degree, making it the standard entry point into the profession. However, here’s where it gets interesting: the salary data reveals a compelling case for advanced education.
Years of Experience
The most dramatic salary jump occurs between years 1 and 2, where compensation increases by nearly 29%. This suggests that once you’ve proven yourself beyond the initial probationary period, employers are willing to invest significantly in retention. The average pay range for a Civil Engineer varies greatly (as much as 29500), which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location and years of experience.
Years of Experience | Percentage of Jobs | Number of Positions |
---|---|---|
0 years | 11.06% | 24 |
1 year | 2.30% | 5 |
2 years | 5.99% | 13 |
3 years | 15.21% | 33 |
4 years | 6.45% | 14 |
5 years | 26.27% | 57 |
6 years | 6.45% | 14 |
8 years | 11.98% | 26 |
The data reveals that employers in Connecticut show a strong preference for engineers with 3-5 years of experience, with over 40% of positions targeting this range. This “sweet spot” represents engineers who have moved beyond entry-level but aren’t yet commanding senior civil engineer salaries.
Seniority Level
The progression from entry-level to executive represents a 166% increase in compensation. The data shows that the transition to management roles (Manager level) provides a modest increase compared to technical progression (Senior/Lead levels), suggesting that Connecticut’s market values technical expertise highly. A senior civil engineer or chief civil engineer can expect to earn significantly more than entry-level positions.
Remote Work
Work Arrangement | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Number of Positions |
---|---|---|
Onsite | $117,414 | 187 |
Remote | $115,625 | 6 |
Hybrid | $129,943 | 111 |
Surprisingly, hybrid arrangements command the highest salaries, suggesting that employers value flexibility while maintaining some in-person collaboration. With remote positions representing less than 2% of opportunities, civil engineering in Connecticut remains predominantly an in-person profession.
Location
Top Connecticut Cities for Civil Engineer Compensation
City | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
---|---|---|
North Haven | $210,600 | $101.25 |
Plainville | $174,000 | $83.65 |
Wethersfield | $141,000 | $67.79 |
Rocky Hill | $140,297 | $67.45 |
Norwalk | $130,926 | $62.95 |
Shelton | $125,994 | $60.57 |
Cheshire | $120,190 | $57.78 |
Hartford | $120,095 | $57.74 |
New Haven | $114,395 | $55.00 |
North Haven leads with compensation nearly double the state average, likely due to specialized infrastructure projects or the presence of major engineering firms. We’ve identified 10 cities where the typical salary for civil engineer jobs is above the average in Connecticut. Topping the list is Greenwich, with Stamford and Riverside close behind in second and third. Riverside beats the Connecticut average by 11.4%, and Greenwich furthers that trend with another 14198 (18.1%) above the $78,646.
Top Paying Companies in Connecticut
Leading Employers by Compensation
Company | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
---|---|---|
M&J Engineering | $210,600 | $101.25 |
HNTB | $176,354 | $84.79 |
LVI Associates | $175,000 | $84.13 |
ghd | $174,000 | $83.65 |
Tutor Perini | $162,500 | $78.13 |
Langan Engineering | $157,500 | $75.72 |
Mott MacDonald | $156,833 | $75.40 |
GEI Consultants | $149,167 | $71.71 |
AECOM | $144,487 | $69.46 |
Jacobs | $141,000 | $67.79 |
These organizations represent a mix of large international firms and specialized regional consultancies. M&J Engineering’s top position suggests that smaller, specialized firms can compete with global giants on compensation. The presence of construction management firms like Tutor Perini indicates that civil engineers who understand both design and building construction implementation command premium salaries.
Technical Competencies to Develop
- Infrastructure design software (Civil 3D, MicroStation)
- Project management certification (PMP)
- Sustainable design practices
- BIM and digital twin technologies
- Sewage systems design and management
Explore our detailed article on the Civil Engineering Skills Required in 2025
Future Trends in Civil Engineering Salaries
Connecticut’s ageing infrastructure and commitment to sustainability create unique opportunities. Civil engineer 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 from software, supply chain and logistics to aerospace. Most roles require at least a bachelor’s degree.
The state’s focus on resilient infrastructure following recent climate events, combined with federal infrastructure spending, suggests continued strong demand. Engineers who position themselves at the intersection of traditional civil engineering and emerging technologies, such as transportation engineering or advanced sewage systems, will likely command premium salaries.
Market Challenges and Opportunities
While based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Civil Engineers job market in Connecticut is not very active, as few companies are currently hiring. Connecticut ranks number 50 out of 50 states nationwide for Civil Engineers salaries.
However, our data tells a different story. The high salaries offered by top employers and the prevalence of hybrid work arrangements suggest that Connecticut’s market is evolving rather than declining. Opportunities in specialised fields like transportation engineering and building construction continue to grow.
Conclusion
The civil engineering profession in Connecticut offers substantial earning potential, with a median salary of $119,200, significantly exceeding national averages. While educational credentials provide a foundation, strategic career moves at the 2-year and 7-year marks can dramatically impact lifetime earnings.
Geographic location within Connecticut matters less than choosing the right employer and developing specialised expertise in areas such as transportation engineering or sewage systems. The emergence of hybrid work as the highest-paid arrangement signals a shift in how engineering firms value flexibility and work-life balance.
For civil engineers navigating Connecticut’s market, success lies not just in technical competence but in understanding market dynamics, timing career transitions strategically, and aligning personal expertise with emerging infrastructure needs. Whether aiming for a senior civil engineer position or aspiring to become a chief civil engineer, continuous skill development and strategic career planning are key.