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Civil Engineering Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Civil Engineering Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Civil Engineering Manager in the United States is $143,367 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $69.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $168,025
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $131,680 to $156,274
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $121,040
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Civil Engineering Manager Salaries

A Civil Engineering Manager'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 Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Civil Engineering Manager'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 I (12+ years): $84,401
  • Civil Engineering Supervisor II (12+ years): $116,509
  • Civil Engineering Manager (12+ years): $143,367
  • Civil Engineering Senior Manager (12+ years): $174,119
  • Civil Engineering Director (12+ years): $195,985
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Civil Engineering Supervisor I12+ years$84,401
Civil Engineering Supervisor II12+ years$116,509
Civil Engineering Manager12+ years$143,367
Civil Engineering Senior Manager12+ years$174,119
Civil Engineering Director12+ years$195,985
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How Do Civil Engineering Manager 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 Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $158,736.
  • California: $158,134.
  • Massachusetts: $156,026.

Top Paying Cities for Civil Engineering Managers

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: $180,829
  • San Francisco: $178,849
  • Oakland: $175,080

What Skills Can Increase a Civil Engineering Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 6.47% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Client Relationship (Mentioned in 0.86% Job Postings): Client relationship managemen is focused on building relationships with clients to ensure that their needs are met, they are satisfied with the services and/or products provided by the company.
  • Staff Management (Mentioned in 0.86% Job Postings): To manage employees or subordinates of an organization is termed staff management. This is a structure through which staff members or employees can achieve their full potential within the job duties assigned to them.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 6.47%
Client Relationship 0.86%
Staff Management 0.86%
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 Engineering Manager's salary.

  • Team Development: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Interpersonal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Software Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Team Development $156,270
9%
Interpersonal Communication $156,270
9%
Software Engineering $153,403
7%
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Civil Engineering Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Civil Engineering Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $160,219. While startup companies pay approximate $135,529.

Civil Engineering Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $135,529
Growth Stage 51~500 $143,335
Established 501~5000 $154,712
Enterprise 5000+ $160,219

Civil Engineering Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Civil Engineering Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 69% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Civil Engineering Manager positions in Insurance or Internet typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Civil Engineering Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Civil Engineering Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$193,545$93.035%
Biotechnology$186,377$90.030%
Business Services$179,209$86.025%
Chemicals$172,040$83.020%
Construction$169,173$81.018%

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

Understanding how a Civil Engineering Manager'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
$131,680
Average $143,367/year
$156,274
$10,973
Average $11,947/month
$13,023
$2,532
Average $2,757/week
$3,005
$63
Average $69/hour
$75
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $156,274 $13,023 $3,005 $75
Average $143,367 $11,947 $2,757 $69
25th Percentile $131,680 $10,973 $2,532 $63

Civil Engineering Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Civil Engineering Manager

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Advancement

For a Civil Engineering Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Civil Engineering Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $174,119 - a projected growth of 21% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Civil Engineering Manager

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

Common company salaries for Civil Engineering Manager

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

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FAQ about Civil Engineering Manager

1. Where can a Civil Engineering Manager earn the most?

A Civil Engineering Manager'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 Engineering Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Civil Engineering Manager is $180,829.

2. What is the highest pay for Civil Engineering Manager?

The highest pay for Civil Engineering Manager is $168,025.

3. What is the lowest pay for Civil Engineering Manager?

The lowest pay for Civil Engineering Manager is $121,040.

4. What are the responsibilities of Civil Engineering Manager?

Manages a team of civil engineers who design and develop construction projects such as airports, bridges, channels, dams, railroads, and roads. Reviews and analyzes the design effectiveness and structural reliability of major projects. Approves cost reports, equipment records, engineering reports, and project construction schedules. Ensures policies, practices and procedures are strictly observed. Assesses new potential projects and briefs civil engineers on new worksites and projects. Oversees inspections of aging or compromised structures and improvement projects and provides recommendations for next steps. Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering. Requires Professional Engineer License (PE). Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1-3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Civil Engineering Manager?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Civil Engineering Manager roles, with salaries approximately 35% 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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