Engineering · Australia

Civil Engineer Salary in Australia

The Australia median is $119,640 per year, with observed city pay up to Sydney at $88,834.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is AUD). FX as of Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Civil Engineer pay in Australia: Sydney leads, Adelaide trails

The Australia national median for a civil engineer is $167,000 a year. Among 5 metros with observed data, pay runs from about $98,400 in Adelaide to $124,000 in Sydney (1.3×).

Civil engineers design and oversee infrastructure like roads, bridges, and water systems. Common screening skills include AutoCAD, Structures, Project mgmt, and Codes.

A modeled national band runs about $114,400–$231,300 around that midpoint. Skills lists and occupation assessments gate several of the best-paid covered roles. Employment outlook for the occupation is sketched at +8% over a decade — a national demand guess, not a hiring guarantee in every Australian city.

Sydney sits -26% vs the national median; Adelaide sits -41%. Relocating inside Australia for this title can move cash more than a small raise at the same desk. Open a city page for take-home and rent context — this national page is the map, not the offer.

Australia shows about 2.9% CPI in 2025. A civil engineer raise that trails inflation is a real-pay cut even if it still beats last year’s peers. This occupation is also covered in 39 other countries — useful for remote or relocation shortlists, after FX and local tax. Nearby engineering titles on this site include Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Chemical Engineer, and Aerospace Engineer.

How to use Civil Engineer pay data in Australia

Start with the national median ($167,000), then pick the metro where you would actually work. Observed city rows below are stronger than a pay-index guess. If your city is missing, stay on this page for the country figure and check the Australia hub for other careers.

Convert gross through the salary calculator before comparing two cities — tax and rent often reorder a cash ranking. Figures are estimates for research, not employer bands.

National band vs top metro

National sketch: $114,400 (10th) → $167,000 (median) → $231,300 (90th). Sydney’s observed median is $124,000, with a local band about $82,500–$187,000. If an offer is “at the Australia median” but the job is in Sydney, you may still be under local market.

National median
$119,640
per year
Monthly (national)
$9,958
per month, before tax
Highest-paying city
$88,834
Sydney, NSW
Hourly (national)
$57.52
varies by city

Civil Engineer salary by city in Australia

Cities below have observed metro percentiles for this role. Prefer these over national-only estimates when you are relocating to a specific market.

CityPer year
Sydney, NSW$88,834
Melbourne, VIC$85,969
Brisbane, QLD$78,804
Perth, WA$78,804
Adelaide, SA$70,494

Civil Engineer salary in other countries

Related Engineering salaries in Australia

Frequently asked questions

How much does a civil engineer make in Australia?
The national median is about $167,000 per year. Across 5 observed cities, pay ranges from about $98,400 to $124,000.
Which Australia city pays civil engineers the most?
Sydney, NSW leads observed metros at about $124,000 per year (-26% vs national).
Which Australia city pays civil engineers the least?
Among observed cities, Adelaide, SA is on the lower end at about $98,400 per year.
How many Australia cities have civil engineer salary data?
5 metros list observed civil engineer percentiles in AUD on this site.
Is civil engineer in demand in Australia?
Occupation-level employment is projected at about +8% over ten years. Local hiring still follows Australian industry mix.