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Civil engineer: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$100,840median pay per year, or $48.48 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $68,240lowest 10% earn less
  2. $79,93025th percentile
  3. $100,840median
  4. $129,68075th percentile
  5. $163,220top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[6]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

Civil engineers earn a median of $100,840 a year, about twice the median for all jobs, and usually start with a bachelor's degree[1][2][3]. Jobs are projected to grow 6.4% over ten years, and engineers who serve the public directly usually need a state license[4][5].

Job growth, 2025–35
+6.4%[4]
Openings per year
22,700[7]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[3]

How much do civil engineers make?

The median pay for civil engineers was $100,840 a year, or $48.48 an hour, in May 2025[1]. That is close to double the $50,980 median for all US occupations[2]. The median is the midpoint: one half of workers earned above it and the other half below[8].

The average (mean) wage was higher, at $108,670 a year or $52.24 an hour[9].

Pay varies a lot from the bottom of the range to the top[6][10]:

Percentile Annual Hourly
10th $68,240 $32.81
25th $79,930 $38.43
75th $129,680 $62.34
90th $163,220 $78.47

So the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $68,240, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $163,220[6]. BLS reports these percentiles as boundaries. It does not publish a starting salary[8].

These figures count full-time and part-time workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not include benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions[11].

Pay by state and city

California pays civil engineers the most of any state, with a median of $122,500 a year[12]. Next come Alaska at $114,730, Washington at $110,000, Massachusetts at $106,730 and Louisiana at $105,380[12]. At the other end of the list, Georgia had the lowest state median at $84,240[12].

California also has the most jobs, about 55,180[13]. Texas follows with 34,870, then Florida with 23,750, New York with 17,500 and Pennsylvania with 15,870[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, the top median pay was in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $130,280[14]. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont ($130,160) and Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom ($130,150) were almost level with it[14]. Seven of the eight top-paying metros are in California. Walla Walla, WA is the exception at $123,030[14].

The metros with the most civil engineering jobs are Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (16,340 jobs, median $108,640) and New York-Newark-Jersey City (15,590 jobs, median $107,330)[15]. Houston, San Francisco, Chicago and Denver round out the list[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
California[12]$122,50055,180
Alaska$114,7301,670
Washington$110,00012,590
Massachusetts$106,7309,450
Louisiana$105,3803,780
Oregon$105,2504,890
New Jersey$104,6606,900
Nevada$104,3103,560
New Mexico$103,9001,350
District of Columbia$103,8801,650
New York$103,76017,500
Connecticut$103,1504,370
Nebraska$103,1502,360
South Carolina$101,6007,180
Minnesota$101,4804,710
Colorado$101,42013,290
Kentucky$100,9302,690
North Carolina$100,73012,810
Maryland$100,6805,240
Delaware$100,220920
Mississippi$100,1701,770
Illinois$99,76013,910
Rhode Island$99,3001,270
Alabama$99,0105,370
Oklahoma$98,7602,180
New Hampshire$98,7101,620
South Dakota$98,7001,440
Florida$98,57023,750
Indiana$98,2704,030
North Dakota$98,1901,380
Idaho$98,0302,630
Pennsylvania$97,85015,870
Maine$97,8201,240
Virginia$97,12011,350
Kansas$96,8802,880
Texas$96,86034,870
Utah$96,8305,670
Iowa$96,4302,500
Ohio$96,22010,560
Tennessee$95,9105,790
Vermont$95,600770
Wisconsin$94,6007,410
Hawaii$94,2802,640
Montana$93,0701,870
Missouri$92,7505,760
Michigan$92,1007,760
Wyoming$90,590990
Arizona$89,6605,940
West Virginia$86,9301,300
Arkansas$85,0201,870
Georgia$84,2409,400

How to become a civil engineer

BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the usual entry education, with no related work experience or on-the-job training required to start[3].

1) Earn a bachelor's degree. Plan on a degree in civil engineering or a closely related field[5]. Classes cover math, physics, engineering mechanics and construction systems, often with lab work[16]. Employers usually favor graduates of accredited programs[17]. 2) Get hands-on experience while you study. Some students join co-op programs and others do internships, which let them practice the work before graduating[17]. 3) Start in an entry-level job. You do not need a license to work as an entry-level civil engineer[18]. 4) Work toward a Professional Engineer (PE) license. You usually need one to offer services directly to the public[5][18]. State rules generally ask for a degree from an accredited engineering program, a passing Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam score, several years of relevant experience and a passing PE exam score[19]. 5) Keep your license current. Each state issues its own license, and some states require continuing education to renew it[20].

A licensed PE can supervise other engineers, approve plans and sign off on projects[19]. Optional certification can show employers your skills[21]. With experience, some PEs move into supervisory or administrative jobs such as city engineer or public works director[22]. Graduate study, a PE license and experience can help with moving up to roles like engineering manager[23].

In an ONET survey of 21 civil engineers, 86% said a bachelor's degree is required and 10% said a master's degree[24]. ONET places the job in Job Zone Four, which means considerable preparation is needed[25].

Two skills matter a lot. Civil engineers explain project details in speech and in writing, including people without a technical background[26]. They also weigh goals against each other, such as whether a plan is practical given its cost and safety[27].

What civil engineers do

Civil engineers plan, design and oversee the building and upkeep of large structures and systems. Think roads, bridges, airports, dams, pipelines, and water and sewage systems[28]. Typical tasks include[29]:

Job titles vary. Workers report titles such as City Engineer, County Engineer, Geotechnical Engineer and Project Engineer[30].

Where they work

Civil engineers split time between offices and outdoor construction sites[31]. On some projects they work from a temporary office on site, such as a trailer[31].

Engineering services firms are the largest employer, with 51% of civil engineers in 2025[32]. Only 1.9% were self-employed that year[33].

Most civil engineers work full time, and some put in more than 40 hours a week[34]. Those who direct projects may work extra hours to keep designs on spec and projects on schedule[34].

Job outlook

BLS expects the number of civil engineering jobs to rise by 6.4% between 2025 and 2035[4]. That means going from roughly 380,600 jobs to 405,100, a gain of 24,500[4]. That is faster than the 3.5% growth projected for all occupations[35].

Expect about 22,700 openings each year on average[7]. That count includes jobs that open up when workers retire or switch careers, on top of newly created jobs[7]. Each year, about 1.9% of civil engineers leave the labor force and 3.2% move into a different occupation[36].

The projection counts (380,600 jobs in 2025) include self-employed workers[4]. The 367,840 jobs in the pay survey do not[37].

Is it a good fit?

Civil engineering may suit someone ready to finish a bachelor's degree, since that is the usual entry requirement and no prior work experience is expected[3]. The pay is well above the all-occupations median, at $100,840 versus $50,980[1][2]. Growth of 6.4% over ten years beats the 3.5% average[4][35]. If you want to sign off on projects or serve the public directly, plan for extra exams and several years of experience to earn a PE license[19]. The job also mixes office work with time on construction sites[31].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[38].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a civil engineer make an hour?
The median hourly wage was $48.48 in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $32.81 an hour and the highest-paid 10% more than $78.47[10].
What degree do you need to be a civil engineer?
A bachelor's degree is the typical entry requirement[3]. It is usually in civil engineering or a related field, and employers tend to prefer accredited programs[5][17].
Do civil engineers need a license?
Not at the entry level[18]. A Professional Engineer (PE) license is usually needed to provide services directly to the public. Getting one generally takes an accredited degree, passing the FE exam, several years of experience and passing the PE exam[18][19].
Is civil engineering in demand?
BLS projects faster growth than average. Jobs are expected to rise 6.4% between 2025 and 2035, versus 3.5% for all occupations[4][35]. About 22,700 openings are expected each year[7].
What is the highest paying state for civil engineers?
California, with a median of $122,500 a year in May 2025[12]. It also has the most civil engineering jobs, about 55,180[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Civil Engineers in the US was $100,840 per year and $48.48 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Civil Engineers: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Civil Engineers is projected to grow 6.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 380,600 to 405,100 jobs (a change of +24,500). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  5. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  6. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Civil Engineers: 10th percentile $68,240, 25th percentile $79,930, 75th percentile $129,680, 90th percentile $163,220. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  7. BLS Employment Projections: about 22,700 openings for Civil Engineers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Civil Engineers was $108,670 per year and $52.24 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Civil Engineers: 10th percentile $32.81, 25th percentile $38.43, 75th percentile $62.34, 90th percentile $78.47. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Civil Engineers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Civil Engineers jobs: California 55,180; Texas 34,870; Florida 23,750; New York 17,500; Pennsylvania 15,870. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Civil Engineers (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $130,280; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $130,160; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $130,150; Redding, CA $126,000; Napa, CA $123,440; Walla Walla, WA $123,030; Vallejo, CA $122,510; Salinas, CA $122,160. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Civil Engineers jobs: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 16,340 (median $108,640); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 15,590 (median $107,330); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 12,140 (median $100,950); San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 10,990 (median $130,160); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 9,760 (median $100,160); Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO 9,130 (median $104,710). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. O*NET 17-2051.00 survey of workers (21 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 86%, Master's Degree 10% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET 17-2051.00: Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. O*NET OnLine
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. O*NET description of Civil Engineers. O*NET OnLine
  29. O*NET task list for Civil Engineers. O*NET OnLine
  30. O*NET 17-2051.00 sample job titles reported by workers: City Engineer, Civil Engineer, County Engineer, Design Engineer, Engineer, Geotechnical Engineer, Licensed Engineer, Project Engineer. O*NET OnLine
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of civil engineers in 2025: Engineering services 51%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Employment Projections: 1.9% of Civil Engineers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Civil Engineers: 1.9% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3.2% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  37. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 367,840 people were employed as Civil Engineers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  38. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.