The average yearly salary for a civil engineer is $79,140. Wages can vary depending on education, experience, employer and location.
The BLS reports that a civil engineer can expect to earn the highest mean annual salary in California ( $113,200 ), New York ($105,210 ), New Jersey ($100,690 ) and Alaska ($100,160). Other top-paying states include Florida, South Dakota, Nevada, and Arizona.
A civil engineer is responsible for designing, building and maintaining large construction projects and facilities such as roads, bridges, harbors and airports. They also plan and construct water, sewer, pipeline and power systems.
To determine the best place to work, we analyzed salaries across a wide range of industries and job roles. We then ranked the cities that paid the most, as well as those that had the highest salary potential for a civil engineer.
The best way to increase your civil engineer pay is by changing jobs or getting an advanced degree. Alternatively, you can also manage your experience to improve your earning potential. If you’re a senior level civil engineer, you can get more out of your job by taking on additional responsibilities or increasing your skill set. In addition, you can always negotiate your compensation or seek an improvement in your benefits package.