upper level job

Civil Engineer I Salary in Wake Forest, NC

How much does a Civil Engineer I make in Wake Forest, NC?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Civil Engineer I in Wake Forest, NC is $71,702 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $82,246
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $66,635 to $77,221
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $62,022
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Smart Recruiting
AI-Powered HR
View as table View as graph 25% $66,635 10% $62,022 90% $82,246 75% $77,221 $71,702 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Civil Engineer I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $77,221 $6,435 $1,485 $37
Average $71,702 $5,975 $1,379 $34
25th Percentile $66,635 $5,553 $1,281 $32

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, skills, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Civil Engineer 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): $71,702
  • Civil Engineer II (2-4 years): $87,303
  • Civil Engineer III (4-7 years): $102,328
  • Civil Engineer IV (7+ years): $119,850
  • Civil Engineer V (7-10 years): $143,147
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Civil Engineer I0-2 years$71,702
Civil Engineer II2-4 years$87,303
Civil Engineer III4-7 years$102,328
Civil Engineer IV7+ years$119,850
Civil Engineer V7-10 years$143,147
$71,702 Civil Eng...
$87,303 Civil Eng...
$102,328 Civil Eng...
$119,850 Civil Eng...
$143,147 Civil Eng...
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Civil Engineer Is

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: $93,527
  • San Francisco: $92,503
  • Oakland: $90,553

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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 5.8%
Equipment Maintenance 2.69%
CPR 1.6%
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
$77,438
8%
CPR
$77,438
8%
Analysis
$76,004
6%
Innovation
$73,853
3%
Installation
$73,853
3%
Oral Communication
$73,853
3%
Get Latest Data

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 $80,198. While startup companies pay approximate $67,823.

Civil Engineer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$67,823
Growth Stage51~500$71,734
Established501~5000$77,446
Enterprise5000+$80,198