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Civil Engineer I Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Civil Engineer I in the United States is $74,153 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $85,060
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $68,920 to $79,862
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $64,156
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Civil Engineer I Salaries

A Civil 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 Engineer I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Civil 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 Engineer I (0-2 years): $74,153
  • Civil Engineer II (2-4 years): $90,284
  • Civil Engineer III (4-7 years): $105,822
  • Civil Engineer IV (7+ years): $123,948
  • Civil Engineer V (7-10 years): $148,036
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Civil Engineer I0-2 years$74,153
Civil Engineer II2-4 years$90,284
Civil Engineer III4-7 years$105,822
Civil Engineer IV7+ years$123,948
Civil Engineer V7-10 years$148,036
View as Graph

How Do Civil Engineer Is Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Civil Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $82,102.
  • California: $81,791.
  • Massachusetts: $80,701.

Top Paying Cities for Civil Engineer I

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: $93,529
  • San Francisco: $92,505
  • Oakland: $90,556

What Skills Can Increase a Civil 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 5.8%
Equipment Maintenance 2.69%
CPR 1.6%
See More Skills

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 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 $80,085
8%
CPR $80,085
8%
Analysis $78,602
6%
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Civil Engineer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Civil Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $83,010. While startup companies pay approximate $70,225.

Civil Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $70,225
Growth Stage 51~500 $74,271
Established 501~5000 $80,161
Enterprise 5000+ $83,010

Civil Engineer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Civil 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 Engineer positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Civil Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Civil Engineer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$96,399$46.030%
Insurance$92,691$45.025%
Biotechnology$88,984$43.020%
Pharmaceuticals$88,984$43.020%
Software & Networking$85,276$41.015%

How Education impacts an Civil Engineer I's Salary?

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

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Civil Engineer I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $74,933 and $79,118.

Civil Engineer I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Civil 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%
View as Graph

Civil Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Civil 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 August 01, 2026
$68,920
Average $74,153/year
$79,862
$5,743
Average $6,179/month
$6,655
$1,325
Average $1,426/week
$1,536
$33
Average $36/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $79,862 $6,655 $1,536 $38
Average $74,153 $6,179 $1,426 $36
25th Percentile $68,920 $5,743 $1,325 $33

Civil Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Civil Engineer I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Civil 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.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Civil Engineer II $90,284 22%
Structural Engineer II $87,220 18%
Transportation Engineer II $87,220 18%

Most common benefits for Civil Engineer I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Civil Engineer I

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

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FAQ about Civil Engineer I

1. Where can a Civil Engineer I earn the most?

A Civil Engineer I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Civil Engineer I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Civil Engineer I is $93,529.

2. What is the highest pay for Civil Engineer I?

The highest pay for Civil Engineer I is $85,060.

3. What is the lowest pay for Civil Engineer I?

The lowest pay for Civil Engineer I is $64,156.

4. What are the responsibilities of Civil Engineer I?

Plans, designs, and supervises the construction and maintenance of building and infrastructure projects such as airports, bridges, channels, dams, railroads, or roads. Analyzes the design effectiveness and structural reliability of major projects including assessing and testing materials. Performs the necessary data collection and calculations in areas such as traffic forecasting, soil capacity, groundwater analysis, and structure design. Estimates costs including personnel and material needs, prepares proposals, and establishes completion dates. May also assist in inspecting aging infrastructure or overseeing improvement projects. May participate in an engineering or professional development program. May be working towards obtaining a Professional Engineer License (PE). Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Civil Engineer I?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Civil Engineer I roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

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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