College Professor - Civil Engineering Salary in the United States

How much does a College Professor - Civil Engineering make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a College Professor - Civil Engineering in the United States is $140,800 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $68.

However, a College Professor - Civil Engineering's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $181,684
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $123,400 to $162,200
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $107,558

Key Factors That Influence College Professor - Civil Engineering Salaries

A College Professor - Civil Engineering's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do College Professor - Civil Engineering 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 College Professor - Civil Engineerings. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $155,900.
  • California: $155,300.
  • Massachusetts: $153,300.

Top Paying Cities for College Professor - Civil Engineerings

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: $177,600
  • San Francisco: $175,700
  • Oakland: $172,000

What Skills Can Increase a College Professor - Civil Engineering's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 12.5% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Academic Advising (Mentioned in 2.08% Job Postings): Academic advising is, according to the National Academic Advising Association, "a series of intentional interactions with a curriculum, a pedagogy, and a set of student learning outcomes. Academic advising synthesizes and contextualizes students' educational experiences within the frameworks of their aspirations, abilities and lives to extend learning beyond campus boundaries and timeframes."
  • Computer Science (Mentioned in 2.08% Job Postings): Computer science is the study of computation, automation, and information. Computer science spans theoretical disciplines (such as algorithms, theory of computation, information theory, and automation) to practical disciplines.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 12.5%
Academic Advising 2.08%
Computer Science 2.08%

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 College Professor - Civil Engineering's salary.

  • Teamwork: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Teamwork $160,512
14%
Collaboration $146,432
4%
Leadership $145,024
3%

College Professor - Civil Engineering Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

College Professor - Civil Engineering salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $145,337. While startup companies pay approximate $124,216.

College Professor - Civil Engineering Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $124,216
Growth Stage 51~500 $131,059
Established 501~5000 $140,661
Enterprise 5000+ $145,337

College Professor - Civil Engineering Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For College Professor - Civil Engineering roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 32% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Government, offers compensation 18% above the average. Conversely, College Professor - Civil Engineering positions in Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view College Professor - Civil Engineering as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a College Professor - Civil Engineering

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Government$166,003$80.018%

How Education impacts a College Professor - Civil Engineering's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many College Professor - Civil Engineerings enter the field with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 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 College Professor - Civil Engineering with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is between $135,260 and $155,597).

College Professor - Civil Engineering Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for College Professor - Civil Engineering
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 25.0%
High School 75.0%
Associates 0.0%
Bachelors 0.0%
Masters 25.0%
Doctorate 75.0%

College Professor - Civil Engineering Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a College Professor - Civil Engineering'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 October 01, 2026
$123,400
Average $140,800/year
$162,200
$10,283
Average $11,733/month
$13,517
$2,373
Average $2,708/week
$3,119
$59
Average $68/hour
$78
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $162,200 $13,517 $3,119 $78
Average $140,800 $11,733 $2,708 $68
25th Percentile $123,400 $10,283 $2,373 $59

Most common benefits for College Professor - Civil Engineering

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

Common company salaries for College Professor - Civil Engineering

Here are companies hiring for College Professor - Civil Engineering and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about College Professor - Civil Engineering

1. What industry pays the highest salary for College Professor - Civil Engineering?

The Government industry offers the highest average compensation for College Professor - Civil Engineering roles, with salaries approximately 18% above the market median.

2. How much do college engineering professors make?

College engineering professors earn a competitive salary, with a minimum of $112,300, a mid-range salary of $143,700, and a maximum of $184,800 annually. This reflects the value of their expertise and the demand for skilled educators in the field. Overall, the compensation is quite favorable compared to many other professions.

3. How much does a professor of civil engineering make?

A professor of civil engineering typically earns between $112,300 and $184,800 annually, with a median salary of $143,700. In top-paying cities like San Francisco and Stanford, salaries can exceed $189,000, reflecting the demand and expertise in this field.

4. Can a civil engineer make 200k a year?

While some civil engineering positions, particularly in specialized roles or high-demand areas, may offer salaries exceeding $200,000, the typical salary range for a college professor in civil engineering is between $112,300 and $184,800. Therefore, reaching a $200,000 salary as a civil engineer is possible but not common in academic roles.

5. Which engineering PhD pays the most?

While various engineering PhDs offer competitive salaries, Civil Engineering professors earn a median salary of $143,700, with a range from $112,300 to $184,800. This places them among the higher-paying fields, though Systems Engineering and Economics lead the list with median salaries of $195,600 and $187,290, respectively.

6. Can you make over 100K as a civil engineer?

Yes, you can definitely make over 100K as a civil engineer. The salary data shows that the minimum salary for a college professor in civil engineering is $112,300, with a mid-range salary of $143,700 and a maximum of $184,800. This indicates strong earning potential in the field.

7. How much a PhD student earns in usa?

In the U.S., PhD students' stipends vary widely based on the institution, field, and location. Typically, they earn between $20,000 and $35,000 annually. However, for those pursuing a career in academia, such as a College Professor in Civil Engineering, salaries range from $112,300 to $184,800, with a mid-salary of $143,700.

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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