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Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I Salary in the United States

How much does a Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I in the United States is $74,173 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

However, a Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $85,063
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $68,933 to $79,873
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $64,162
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View as table View as graph 25% $68,933 10% $64,162 90% $85,063 75% $79,873 $74,173 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $79,873 $6,656 $1,536 $38
Average $74,173 $6,181 $1,426 $36
25th Percentile $68,933 $5,744 $1,326 $33
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Key Factors That Influence Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I Salaries

A Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I (0-2 years): $74,151
  • Civil Infrastructure Engineer II (2-4 years): $90,285
  • Civil Infrastructure Engineer III (4-7 years): $105,823
  • Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer IV (7+ years): $123,944
  • Civil Infrastructure Engineer V (7-10 years): $148,037
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I0-2 years$74,151
Civil Infrastructure Engineer II2-4 years$90,285
Civil Infrastructure Engineer III4-7 years$105,823
Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer IV7+ years$123,944
Civil Infrastructure Engineer V7-10 years$148,037
$74,151 Civil/Con...
$90,285 Civil Inf...
$105,823 Civil Inf...
$123,944 Civil/Con...
$148,037 Civil Inf...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $93,543
  • San Francisco: $92,523
  • Oakland: $90,573

What Skills Can Increase a Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 5.8% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Equipment Maintenance (Mentioned in 2.69% Job Postings): Keeping business equipment in reliable working order and condition to lessen downtime and assure equipment safety.
  • CPR (Mentioned in 1.6% Job Postings): Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 5.8%
Equipment Maintenance 2.69%
CPR 1.6%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I's salary.
  • Process Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • CPR: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Process Analysis
$80,107
8%
CPR
$80,107
8%
Analysis
$78,623
6%
Innovation
$76,398
3%
Installation
$76,398
3%
Oral Communication
$76,398
3%
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Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $82,962. While startup companies pay approximate $70,161.

Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$70,161
Growth Stage51~500$74,206
Established501~5000$80,116
Enterprise5000+$82,962

Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$96,425$46.030%
Insurance$92,716$45.025%
Biotechnology$89,008$43.020%
Pharmaceuticals$89,008$43.020%
Software & Networking$85,299$41.015%

How Education impacts a Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer Is enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I with a Associate's Degree is between $73,361 and $77,634).

Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 0.8%
Associates 2.7%
Bachelors 71.6%
Masters 23.0%
Doctorate 1.6%
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Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Civil Infrastructure Engineer II $90,290 22%
Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering $87,300 18%
Engineer, Experienced - Transportation $87,300 18%

Salary Trends for Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I

Salaries for a Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $74,708 in 2023 to around $73,331 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$74,708
2024
$73,779
2025
$73,331
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $74,708
2024 $73,779
2025 $73,331
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I

Here are companies hiring for Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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