Civil Engineer Salary in United States

Civil Engineer pay in United States: Washington DC leads, San Antonio trails

The United States national median for a civil engineer is $104,000 a year. Among 9 metros with observed data, pay runs from about $90,100 in San Antonio to $144,000 in Washington DC (1.6×).

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 $71,200–$144,000 around that midpoint. Many top cash roles in the United States still run through employer sponsorship and specialty licensing. Employment outlook for the occupation is sketched at +8% over a decade — a national demand guess, not a hiring guarantee in every American city.

Washington DC sits +38% vs the national median; San Antonio sits -13%. Relocating inside United States 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.

United States shows about 2.9% CPI in 2024. 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.