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Civil Engineer V Salary in the United States

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

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Civil Engineer V in the United States is $148,042 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $71.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $170,356
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $136,523 to $159,722
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $126,036
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View as table View as graph 25% $136,523 10% $126,036 90% $170,356 75% $159,722 $148,042 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Civil Engineer V Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $159,722 $13,310 $3,072 $77
Average $148,042 $12,337 $2,847 $71
25th Percentile $136,523 $11,377 $2,625 $66
Check out Civil Engineer V Job Openings in the United States
Civil Engineer II

City of Dublin - Dublin, OH

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Career Collective - Columbus, OH

Civil Engineer

Integrity Technical Services - East Mansfield, OH

Civil Structural Engineer

FootBridge - Perry, OH

Search More Civil Engineer V Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Civil Engineer V Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects Civil Engineer Salaries?

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:

  • Civil Engineer III (4-7 years): $105,824
  • Civil Engineer IV (7+ years): $123,932
  • Civil Engineer V (7-10 years): $148,042
  • Civil Engineer VI (10-12 years): $192,698
  • Civil Engineering Supervisor I (12+ years): $84,439
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Civil Engineer III4-7 years$105,824
Civil Engineer IV7+ years$123,932
Civil Engineer V7-10 years$148,042
Civil Engineer VI10-12 years$192,698
Civil Engineering Supervisor I12+ years$84,439
$105,824 Civil Eng...
$123,932 Civil Eng...
$148,042 Civil Eng...
$192,698 Civil Eng...
$84,439 Civil Eng...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Civil Engineer Vs

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: $186,725
  • San Francisco: $184,890
  • Oakland: $180,789

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 6.21% Job Postings): 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 (Mentioned in 2.01% Job Postings): Hydraulics is a technology and applied science using engineering, chemistry, and other sciences involving the mechanical properties and use of liquids.
  • Public Works (Mentioned in 1.2% Job Postings): 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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 6.21%
Hydraulics 2.01%
Public Works 1.2%
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 V's salary.
  • Computer Science: Can increase your salary by up to 29%.
  • Networking: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Aviation: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Computer Science
$190,974
29%
Networking
$168,768
14%
Aviation
$161,366
9%
Azure
$159,885
8%
Customer Service
$159,885
8%
Microsoft Word
$158,405
7%
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How Education impacts a Civil Engineer V's Salary?

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

Typical Education for Civil Engineer V
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%
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Civil Engineer V Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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 April 01, 2026

Civil Engineer V Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Civil Engineer V, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Civil Engineer VI role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $192,698 - a projected growth of 30% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Civil Engineer V

Salaries 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, .

Average Annual Salary of Civil Engineer V Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$128,793
2024
$128,756
2025
$128,028
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
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2023 $128,793
2024 $128,756
2025 $128,028
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Civil Engineer V

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Civil Engineer V

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

Find Your Next Civil Engineer V Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Civil Engineer V job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Civil Engineer V

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

A Civil Engineer V'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 V earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Civil Engineer V is $186,725.

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

The highest pay for Civil Engineer V is $170,356.

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

The lowest pay for Civil Engineer V is $126,036.

4. What are the responsibilities of Civil Engineer V?

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.

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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