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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 May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I in the United States is $74,163 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): $85,072
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $68,933 to $79,873
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $64,171
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View as table View as graph 25% $68,933 10% $64,171 90% $85,072 75% $79,873 $74,163 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 $74,163 $6,180 $1,426 $36
25th Percentile $68,933 $5,744 $1,326 $33
Check out Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I Job Openings in the United States
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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): $74,147
  • Civil Infrastructure Engineer II (2-4 years): $90,289
  • Civil Infrastructure Engineer III (4-7 years): $105,824
  • Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer IV (7+ years): $123,936
  • Civil Infrastructure Engineer V (7-10 years): $148,041
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I0-2 years$74,147
Civil Infrastructure Engineer II2-4 years$90,289
Civil Infrastructure Engineer III4-7 years$105,824
Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer IV7+ years$123,936
Civil Infrastructure Engineer V7-10 years$148,041
$74,147 Civil/Con...
$90,289 Civil Inf...
$105,824 Civil Inf...
$123,936 Civil/Con...
$148,041 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: $92,513
  • Oakland: $90,563

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
 $80,096
8%
CPR
 $80,096
8%
Analysis
 $78,613
6%
Innovation
 $76,388
3%
Installation
 $76,388
3%
Oral Communication
 $76,388
3%
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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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on May 01, 2026
$68,933
Average $74,163/year
$79,873
$5,744
Average $6,180/month
$6,656
$1,326
Average $1,426/week
$1,536
$33
Average $36/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $79,873 $6,656 $1,536 $38
Average $74,163 $6,180 $1,426 $36
25th Percentile $68,933 $5,744 $1,326 $33

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

Civil/Construction/Structural Engineer I
Civil Infrastructure Engineer II
Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering
Engineer, Experienced - Transportation
Civil Infrastructure Engineer III
Senior Structural Engineer
Engineer, Senior - Transportation

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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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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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