As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Construction Project Engineer I in Virginia is $86,701 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.
However, a Construction Project Engineer I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Construction Project Engineer I Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $93,101 | $7,758 | $1,790 | $45 |
| Average | $86,701 | $7,225 | $1,667 | $42 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,401 | $6,533 | $1,508 | $38 |
Cava Companies - Capitol, VA
Kimmel and Associates - Fairfax, VA
Kimmel and Associates - Norfolk, VA
Kimmel and Associates - Richmond, VA
A Construction Project 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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Construction Project 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Project Engineer I | 0-2 years | $86,637 |
| Construction Project Engineer - Intermediate | 2-4 years | $101,600 |
| Construction Project Engineer - Senior | 4-7 years | $120,618 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Construction Project Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Construction Project Engineer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $94,253. While startup companies pay approximate $79,921.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $79,921 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $84,470 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $91,081 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $94,253 |
For Construction Project Engineer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Construction and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Construction Project Engineer positions in MFG Durable or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Construction Project Engineer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | $112,711 | $54.0 | 30% |
| Energy & Utilities | $104,041 | $50.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Construction Project 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $93,101 | $7,758 | $1,790 | $45 |
| Average | $86,701 | $7,225 | $1,667 | $42 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,401 | $6,533 | $1,508 | $38 |
For a Construction Project Engineer I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Construction Project Engineer - Intermediate role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $101,700 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Construction Project Engineer I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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