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Hourly Wage for Civil Engineering Director Salary in the United States

How much does a Civil Engineering Director make hourly?

As of September 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Civil Engineering Director in the United States is $94, which translates to an annual salary of about $195,985.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $107 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $87 to $101 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $81 per hour
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Civil Engineering Director Salaries

A Civil Engineering Director'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Civil Engineering Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Civil Engineering Director'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 Engineering Supervisor II (3-5 years): $116,509
  • Civil Engineering Manager (5+ years): $143,367
  • Civil Engineering Senior Manager (5+ years): $174,119
  • Civil Engineering Director (5+ years): $195,985
  • SVP of Civil Engineering (5+ years): $248,373
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Civil Engineering Supervisor II3-5 years$116,509
Civil Engineering Manager5+ years$143,367
Civil Engineering Senior Manager5+ years$174,119
Civil Engineering Director5+ years$195,985
SVP of Civil Engineering5+ years$248,373
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How Do Civil Engineering Director 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 Engineering Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $216,995.
  • California: $216,171.
  • Massachusetts: $213,290.

Top Paying Cities for Civil Engineering Directors

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: $247,196
  • San Francisco: $244,489
  • Oakland: $239,337

Civil Engineering Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Civil Engineering Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $219,021. While startup companies pay approximate $185,270.

Civil Engineering Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $185,270
Growth Stage 51~500 $195,941
Established 501~5000 $211,493
Enterprise 5000+ $219,021

Civil Engineering Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Civil Engineering Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Civil Engineering Director positions in Insurance or Internet typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Civil Engineering Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Civil Engineering Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$274,379$132.040%
Biotechnology$264,580$127.035%
Business Services$254,780$122.030%
Chemicals$244,981$118.025%
Construction$235,182$113.020%

Civil Engineering Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Civil Engineering Director'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
$181,836
Average $195,985/year
$209,723
$15,153
Average $16,332/month
$17,477
$3,497
Average $3,769/week
$4,033
$87
Average $94/hour
$101
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $209,723 $17,477 $4,033 $101
Average $195,985 $16,332 $3,769 $94
25th Percentile $181,836 $15,153 $3,497 $87

Most common benefits for Civil Engineering Director

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

Common company salaries for Civil Engineering Director

Here are companies hiring for Civil Engineering Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Civil Engineering Director

1. What are the responsibilities of Civil Engineering Director?

Directs a department of civil engineers and their projects. Oversees the design effectiveness and structural reliability of major projects. Approves overall schedules and ensures procedures are in place so that work is completed on time. Establishes quality control and safety policies. Manages new critical project partners and helps foster relationships between management and those new business prospects. Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering. Requires Professional Engineer License (PE). Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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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