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Civil Engineering Senior Manager Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Civil Engineering Senior Manager in the United States is $174,102 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $84.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $202,419
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $160,504 to $188,924
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $148,124
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Civil Engineering Senior Manager Salaries

A Civil Engineering Senior 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 Senior Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Civil Engineering Senior 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 II (3-5 years): $116,511
  • Civil Engineering Manager (5+ years): $143,361
  • Civil Engineering Senior Manager (5+ years): $174,102
  • Civil Engineering Director (5+ years): $195,973
  • SVP of Civil Engineering (5+ years): $243,580
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Civil Engineering Supervisor II3-5 years$116,511
Civil Engineering Manager5+ years$143,361
Civil Engineering Senior Manager5+ years$174,102
Civil Engineering Director5+ years$195,973
SVP of Civil Engineering5+ years$243,580
View as Graph

How Do Civil Engineering Senior Managers 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 Senior Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $192,766.
  • California: $192,035.
  • Massachusetts: $189,475.

Top Paying Cities for Civil Engineering Senior Manager

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: $219,595
  • San Francisco: $217,191
  • Oakland: $212,613

What Skills Can Increase a Civil Engineering Senior 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 Senior Manager's salary.

  • Conceptual Design: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Agility: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Project Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Conceptual Design $203,699
17%
Agility $200,217
15%
Project Engineering $191,512
10%
Get Latest Data

Civil Engineering Senior Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Civil Engineering Senior Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $194,897. While startup companies pay approximate $164,878.

Civil Engineering Senior Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $164,878
Growth Stage 51~500 $174,378
Established 501~5000 $188,208
Enterprise 5000+ $194,897

Civil Engineering Senior Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Civil Engineering Senior Manager 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 Financial Services and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Civil Engineering Senior Manager positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Civil Engineering Senior Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Civil Engineering Senior Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$217,628$105.025%
Aerospace & Defense$208,922$100.020%
Pharmaceuticals$208,922$100.020%
Energy & Utilities$200,217$96.015%
Business Services$191,512$92.010%

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

Understanding how a Civil Engineering Senior 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 August 01, 2026
$160,504
Average $174,102/year
$188,924
$13,375
Average $14,509/month
$15,744
$3,087
Average $3,348/week
$3,633
$77
Average $84/hour
$91
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $188,924 $15,744 $3,633 $91
Average $174,102 $14,509 $3,348 $84
25th Percentile $160,504 $13,375 $3,087 $77

Civil Engineering Senior Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Civil Engineering Senior Manager

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Advancement

For a Civil Engineering Senior Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Civil Engineering Director role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $195,973 - a projected growth of 13% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Civil Engineering Senior Manager

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

Common company salaries for Civil Engineering Senior Manager

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

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FAQ about Civil Engineering Senior Manager

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

A Civil Engineering Senior 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 Senior Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Civil Engineering Senior Manager is $219,595.

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

The highest pay for Civil Engineering Senior Manager is $202,419.

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

The lowest pay for Civil Engineering Senior Manager is $148,124.

4. What are the responsibilities of Civil Engineering Senior Manager?

Oversees a department of civil engineers and their projects. Reviews and analyzes the design effectiveness and structural reliability of major projects. Approves cost reports, equipment records, engineering reports, and project construction schedules. Assists in establishing quality control and safety policies and ensures policies are implemented and followed. Coordinates new potential project partners and helps foster relationships between managers and new business prospects. Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering. Requires Professional Engineer License (PE). Typically reports to a director. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments.

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

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Civil Engineering Senior Manager 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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