Civil Engineer vs Environmental Engineer salary
In South Africa, a civil engineer earns about 1% more than a environmental engineer — $38,036 vs $37,670 per year.
Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is ZAR). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies
Pays more
Engineering
Civil Engineer$38,036/yr
- Monthly
- $3,168
- Hourly
- $18
- Range
- $26,057–$52,682
- 10-yr outlook
- +8%
Engineering
Environmental Engineer$37,670/yr
- Monthly
- $3,137
- Hourly
- $18
- Range
- $26,142–$51,759
- 10-yr outlook
- +7%
Pay range, side by side
| Percentile | Civil Engineer | Environmental Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (10th) | $26,057 | $26,142 |
| 25th | $32,044 | $31,909 |
| Median | $38,036 | $37,670 |
| 75th | $45,356 | $44,714 |
| Senior (90th) | $52,682 | $51,759 |
National South Africa figures in ZAR. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.
More Engineering comparisons
Frequently asked questions
- Does a civil engineer or environmental engineer earn more in South Africa?
- A civil engineer earns more, at about R 622 000 per year vs R 616 000 for a environmental engineer — roughly 1% (R 6 000) more.
- What is the salary range for these roles in South Africa?
- A civil engineer typically earns R 426 100–R 861 500, while a environmental engineer earns R 427 500–R 846 400 per year.
- How much do these jobs pay per month in South Africa?
- On a monthly basis before tax, a civil engineer averages about R 51 800 and a environmental engineer about R 51 300.
- How do entry-level salaries compare?
- At the 10th percentile in South Africa, a civil engineer earns about R 426 100 while a environmental engineer earns about R 427 500 per year.
- How do senior-level salaries compare?
- At the 90th percentile in South Africa, a civil engineer earns about R 861 500 while a environmental engineer earns about R 846 400 per year.
- Are civil engineer and environmental engineer similar careers?
- Both roles sit in the Engineering category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.