As of July 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Civil Engineer V in the United States is $71, which translates to an annual salary of about $148,037.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
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A Civil Engineer V'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Civil Engineer V'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer III | 4-7 years | $105,823 |
| Civil Engineer IV | 7+ years | $123,944 |
| Civil Engineer V | 7-10 years | $148,037 |
| Civil Engineer VI | 10-12 years | $192,742 |
| Civil Engineering Supervisor I | 12+ years | $84,416 |
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 Civil Engineer Vs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Planning | 6.21% |
| Hydraulics | 2.01% |
| Public Works | 1.2% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Computer Science
|
$190,968 |
29%
|
|
Networking
|
$168,762 |
14%
|
|
Aviation
|
$161,360 |
9%
|
|
Azure
|
$159,880 |
8%
|
|
Customer Service
|
$159,880 |
8%
|
|
Microsoft Word
|
$158,400 |
7%
|
Civil Engineer V salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $165,578. While startup companies pay approximate $140,030.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $140,030 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $148,103 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $159,897 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $165,578 |
For Civil Engineer V 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 Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Civil Engineer positions in Media or Financial Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Civil Engineer V as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $185,046 | $89.0 | 25% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $177,644 | $85.0 | 20% |
| Internet | $170,243 | $82.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $155,439 | $75.0 | 5% |
| Construction | $155,439 | $75.0 | 5% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Civil Engineer Vs 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 a Civil Engineer V with a Bachelor's Degree is between $157,745 and $167,800).
Civil Engineer V Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.7% |
| High School | 0.7% |
| Associates | 1.1% |
| Bachelors | 60.0% |
| Masters | 33.0% |
| Doctorate | 4.8% |
Understanding how a Civil Engineer V'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 July 01, 2026Salaries for a Civil Engineer V can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $128,793 in 2023 to around $128,028 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Civil Engineer V salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $128,793 |
| 2024 | $128,756 |
| 2025 | $128,028 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Civil Engineer V roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.
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. Requires Professional Engineer License (PE). Typically reports to a manager. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Planning: An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
Hydraulics: Hydraulics is a technology and applied science using engineering, chemistry, and other sciences involving the mechanical properties and use of liquids.
Public Works: Public works are a broad category of infrastructure projects, financed and constructed by the government, for recreational, employment, and health and safety uses in the greater community.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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