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Civil Engineer III Salary in the United States

How much does a Civil Engineer III make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Civil Engineer III in the United States is $105,822 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $51.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $121,921
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $97,431 to $114,249
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $89,791
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Civil Engineer III Salaries

A Civil Engineer III'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Civil Engineer III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Civil Engineer III'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): $74,153
  • Civil Engineer II (2-4 years): $90,284
  • Civil Engineer III (4-7 years): $105,822
  • Civil Engineer IV (7+ years): $123,948
  • Civil Engineer V (7-10 years): $148,036
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Civil Engineer I0-2 years$74,153
Civil Engineer II2-4 years$90,284
Civil Engineer III4-7 years$105,822
Civil Engineer IV7+ years$123,948
Civil Engineer V7-10 years$148,036
View as Graph

How Do Civil Engineer IIIs 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 Civil Engineer IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $117,166.
  • California: $116,722.
  • Massachusetts: $115,166.

Top Paying Cities for Civil Engineer III

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: $133,473
  • San Francisco: $132,012
  • Oakland: $129,230

What Skills Can Increase a Civil Engineer III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.97% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Equipment Maintenance (Mentioned in 3.33% Job Postings): Keeping business equipment in reliable working order and condition to lessen downtime and assure equipment safety.
  • Diversity and Inclusion (Mentioned in 1.84% Job Postings): Developing and promoting acquaintance, empowerment, and integration of each unique individual to create a productive and safe working environment.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.97%
Equipment Maintenance 3.33%
Diversity and Inclusion 1.84%
See More Skills

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 III's salary.

  • Interviewing: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Career Development: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Interviewing $110,055
4%
Career Development $107,938
2%
Leadership $107,938
2%
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Civil Engineer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Civil Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $118,462. While startup companies pay approximate $100,216.

Civil Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $100,216
Growth Stage 51~500 $105,990
Established 501~5000 $114,396
Enterprise 5000+ $118,462

Civil Engineer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Civil Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Civil Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Energy & Utilities typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Civil Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Civil Engineer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$132,278$64.025%
Aerospace & Defense$126,986$61.020%
Transportation$124,870$60.018%
Financial Services$121,695$59.015%
MFG Durable$118,521$57.012%

How Education impacts an Civil Engineer III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Civil Engineer III enter the field with a Bachelor's 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 Civil Engineer III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $108,279 and $115,233.

Civil Engineer III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Civil Engineer III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.5%
High School 0.5%
Associates 0.8%
Bachelors 63.6%
Masters 30.8%
Doctorate 4.4%
View as Graph

Civil Engineer III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Civil Engineer III'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 August 01, 2026
$97,431
Average $105,822/year
$114,249
$8,119
Average $8,819/month
$9,521
$1,874
Average $2,035/week
$2,197
$47
Average $51/hour
$55
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $114,249 $9,521 $2,197 $55
Average $105,822 $8,819 $2,035 $51
25th Percentile $97,431 $8,119 $1,874 $47

Civil Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Civil Engineer III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Civil Engineer III, 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.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Civil Engineer IV $123,948 17%
Structural Engineer IV $123,948 17%
Transportation Engineer IV $123,015 16%

Most common benefits for Civil Engineer III

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

Common company salaries for Civil Engineer III

Here are companies hiring for Civil Engineer III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Civil Engineer III

1. Where can a Civil Engineer III earn the most?

A Civil Engineer III's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Civil Engineer III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Civil Engineer III is $133,473.

2. What is the highest pay for Civil Engineer III?

The highest pay for Civil Engineer III is $121,921.

3. What is the lowest pay for Civil Engineer III?

The lowest pay for Civil Engineer III is $89,791.

4. What are the responsibilities of Civil Engineer III?

Plans, designs, and supervises the construction and maintenance of building and infrastructure projects such as airports, bridges, channels, dams, railroads, or roads. Analyzes the design effectiveness and structural reliability of major projects including assessing and testing materials. Performs the necessary data collection and calculations in areas such as traffic forecasting, soil capacity, groundwater analysis, and structure design. Estimates costs including personnel and material needs, prepares proposals, and establishes completion dates. May also assist in inspecting aging infrastructure or overseeing improvement projects. Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering. May require Professional Engineer License (PE). Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Civil Engineer III?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Civil Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

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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