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Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering Salary in the United States

How much does an Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering in the United States is $87,300 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.

However, an Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $106,022
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $80,500 to $97,100
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $74,309

Key Factors That Influence Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering Salaries

An Engineer, Experienced - Structural 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 Engineer, Experienced - Structural 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 Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineerings. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $96,600.
  • California: $96,200.
  • Massachusetts: $95,000.

Top Paying Cities for Engineer, Experienced - Structural 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: $110,100
  • San Francisco: $108,800
  • Oakland: $106,600

What Skills Can Increase an Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 7.69% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Structural Engineering (Mentioned in 3.89% Job Postings): Structural engineering is a sub-discipline of civil engineering in which structural engineers are trained to design the 'bones and muscles' that create the form and shape of man made structures. Structural engineers need to understand and calculate the stability, strength and rigidity of built structures for buildings and nonbuilding structures. The structural designs are integrated with those of other designers such as architects and building services engineer and often supervise the construction of projects by contractors on site. They can also be involved in the design of machinery, medical equipment, and vehicles where structural integrity affects functioning and safety. See glossary of structural engineering. Structural engineering theory is based upon applied physical laws and empirical knowledge of the structural performance of different materials and geometries. Structural engineering design uses a number of relatively simple structural elements to build complex structural systems. Structural engineers are responsible for making creative and efficient use of funds, structural elements and materials to achieve these goals.
  • Design Engineering (Mentioned in 1.38% Job Postings): Creating a system, component, or process to develop new products and systems.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 7.69%
Structural Engineering 3.89%
Design Engineering 1.38%

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 an Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering's salary.

  • Computer Science: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Python: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Software Development: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Computer Science $104,760
20%
Python $100,395
15%
Software Development $100,395
15%

Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $94,812. While startup companies pay approximate $80,419.

Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $80,419
Growth Stage 51~500 $84,992
Established 501~5000 $91,616
Enterprise 5000+ $94,812

Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering positions in Business Services or Energy & Utilities typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$104,760$50.020%
Construction$96,030$46.010%

How Education impacts an Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineerings enter the field with a Bachelor'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 an Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering with a Bachelor's Degree is between $88,122 and $92,097).

Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 39.3%
Associates 0.3%
Bachelors 39.3%
Masters 53.8%
Doctorate 6.8%

Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Engineer, Experienced - Structural 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 September 01, 2026
$80,500
Average $87,300/year
$97,100
$6,708
Average $7,275/month
$8,092
$1,548
Average $1,679/week
$1,867
$39
Average $42/hour
$47
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $97,100 $8,092 $1,867 $47
Average $87,300 $7,275 $1,679 $42
25th Percentile $80,500 $6,708 $1,548 $39

Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering, 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.

Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Civil Infrastructure Engineer III $105,830 21%
Senior Structural Engineer $105,900 21%
Engineer, Senior - Transportation $105,900 21%

Most common benefits for Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering

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

Common company salaries for Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering

Here are companies hiring for Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Engineer, Experienced - Structural Engineering roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Can a civil engineer make 150k?

A civil engineer specializing in structural engineering typically earns between $85,600 and $102,300, with a mid-salary of $91,500. While it's possible for highly experienced engineers to earn over $150,000, this usually requires significant experience and specialized skills beyond the typical salary range.

3. Can you make 500k as an engineer?

Yes, while some engineers can earn high salaries, the typical range for experienced structural engineers is between $85,600 and $102,300. Achieving a salary of $500,000 is rare and usually requires significant experience, specialized skills, or leadership roles in high-demand sectors.

4. Which engineering is the richest?

While various engineering fields offer competitive salaries, Structural Engineering for experienced professionals has a salary range of $85,600 to $102,300, with a median of $91,500. This places it below some of the highest-paying fields like Petroleum and Aerospace Engineering, which can exceed $137,000 and $118,000 respectively.

5. What is the highest paid structural engineer?

The salary for an experienced Structural Engineer typically ranges from $85,600 to $102,300, with a mid-point of $91,500. For higher positions, Lead Structural Engineers can earn between $122,000 and $185,000, while Structural Engineer Managers may see salaries from $125,000 to $192,000, reflecting the increased responsibilities and expertise in the field.

6. What is the highest salary for a structural engineer?

The highest salary for an experienced structural engineer is $102,300 per year. While some positions may offer higher compensation, the typical salary range for this role is between $85,600 and $102,300, with a mid-salary of $91,500.

7. Do structural engineers make more than civil engineers?

Structural engineers typically earn more than civil engineers. Based on recent salary data, structural engineers have a minimum salary of $85,600, a mid-range salary of $91,500, and a maximum salary of $102,300. In contrast, civil engineers generally earn around $82,674 annually, highlighting the specialized skills and expertise required in structural engineering.

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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