Construction Project Engineer - Senior Salary in the United States

How much does a Construction Project Engineer - Senior make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Construction Project Engineer - Senior in the United States is $119,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.

However, a Construction Project Engineer - Senior's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $144,736
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $111,600 to $132,900
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $104,043

Key Factors That Influence Construction Project Engineer - Senior Salaries

A Construction Project Engineer - Senior'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.

Top Paying Cities for Construction Project Engineer - Seniors

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: $151,200
  • San Francisco: $149,500
  • Oakland: $146,400

What Skills Can Increase a Construction Project Engineer - Senior's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 7.92% Job Postings): Project management is the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge and experience to achieve specific project objectives according to the project acceptance criteria within agreed parameters. Project management has final deliverables that are constrained to a finite timescale and budget.
  • RFI (Mentioned in 2.78% Job Postings): A RFI (request for information) is a common business process whose purpose is to collect written information about the capabilities of various suppliers.
  • Land Development (Mentioned in 1.41% Job Postings): Land development is the alteration of landscape in any number of ways such as: Changing landforms from a natural or semi-natural state for a purpose
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 7.92%
RFI 2.78%
Land Development 1.41%

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 Construction Project Engineer - Senior's salary.

  • Systems Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Project Design: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Systems Engineering $129,492
8%
Project Design $129,492
8%
Collaboration $125,895
5%

Construction Project Engineer - Senior Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Construction Project Engineer - Senior salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $130,217. While startup companies pay approximate $110,450.

Construction Project Engineer - Senior Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $110,450
Growth Stage 51~500 $116,730
Established 501~5000 $125,827
Enterprise 5000+ $130,217

Construction Project Engineer - Senior Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Construction Project Engineer - Senior roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 110% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Construction Project Engineer - Senior positions in MFG Durable or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Construction Project Engineer - Senior as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Construction Project Engineer - Senior

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$179,850$86.050%
Construction$143,880$69.020%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$131,890$63.010%

How Education impacts a Construction Project Engineer - Senior's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Construction Project Engineer - Seniors 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 Construction Project Engineer - Senior with a Associate's Degree is between $119,212 and $128,199).

Construction Project Engineer - Senior Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Construction Project Engineer - Senior
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.5%
High School 4.5%
Associates 2.7%
Bachelors 73.2%
Masters 19.6%
Doctorate 0.0%

Construction Project Engineer - Senior Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Construction Project Engineer - Senior'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 September 01, 2026
$111,600
Average $119,900/year
$132,900
$9,300
Average $9,992/month
$11,075
$2,146
Average $2,306/week
$2,556
$54
Average $58/hour
$64
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $132,900 $11,075 $2,556 $64
Average $119,900 $9,992 $2,306 $58
25th Percentile $111,600 $9,300 $2,146 $54

Most common benefits for Construction Project Engineer - Senior

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

Common company salaries for Construction Project Engineer - Senior

Here are companies hiring for Construction Project Engineer - Senior and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Construction Project Engineer - Senior

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Construction Project Engineer - Senior?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Construction Project Engineer - Senior roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

2. What does a senior project engineer do in construction?

A Senior Project Engineer in construction is responsible for managing projects, determining resources, and maintaining budgets and schedules. They supervise and coordinate a small team of engineers and construction inspectors, estimate manpower needs, and assign work to ensure project timelines are met. The salary for this role typically ranges from $111,600 to $143,800, with a mid-point of $128,300.

3. What is the difference between project engineer and senior project engineer?

Entry-level Project Engineers focus on technical tasks and support senior engineers, while mid-level engineers handle project management and coordination. Senior Project Engineers oversee complex projects, strategic planning, and lead engineering teams. In terms of compensation, Senior Project Engineers earn between $111,600 and $143,800, with a median salary of $128,300.

4. Do project engineers get bonuses?

Yes, project engineers typically receive bonuses. The average bonus is around $5,400, which is about 6.91% of their salary. Based on the salary data for a Senior Construction Project Engineer, with a minimum salary of $111,600 and a maximum of $143,800, bonuses can significantly enhance total compensation.

5. Can you make 300k a year as an engineer?

As a Senior Construction Project Engineer, salaries typically range from $111,600 to $143,800, with a midpoint of $128,300. While it's possible to earn a high salary in engineering, reaching $300,000 annually is uncommon for this role without significant experience or additional responsibilities. Advanced degrees may enhance earning potential.

6. What is the highest paying project engineer?

The highest paying position for a Construction Project Engineer - Senior has a maximum salary of $143,800 annually. In comparison, the average salary for a Senior Project Engineer is $114,766, while other related roles like Materials and Process Engineer and Mechanical and Project Engineer earn around $92,639 and $92,358, respectively.

7. What comes after senior project engineer?

After a Senior Project Engineer, the next step is often a Project Director. This role typically involves overseeing multiple project managers and may include managing large-scale projects. Salaries for a Senior Construction Project Engineer range from $111,600 to $143,800, with a midpoint of $128,300, reflecting the advanced responsibilities and expertise required in this career progression.

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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