Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Civil Engineering Technician I Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Civil Engineering Technician I in the United States is $53,954 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $26.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $64,081
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $48,409 to $59,255
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $43,361
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Civil Engineering Technician I Salaries

A Civil Engineering Technician I'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 Engineering Technician I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Civil Engineering Technician I'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 Technician I (0-1 years): $53,954
  • Civil Engineering Technician II (1-3 years): $59,501
  • Civil Engineering Technician III (3-5 years): $73,184
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Civil Engineering Technician I0-1 years$53,954
Civil Engineering Technician II1-3 years$59,501
Civil Engineering Technician III3-5 years$73,184
View as Graph

How Do Civil Engineering Technician Is 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 Technician Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $59,738.
  • California: $59,511.
  • Massachusetts: $58,718.

Top Paying Cities for Civil Engineering Technician I

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: $68,052
  • San Francisco: $67,307
  • Oakland: $65,889

What Skills Can Increase a Civil Engineering Technician I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Consulting (Mentioned in 6.14% Job Postings): Providing technical or business expertise and advice to internal or external clients.
  • CAD (Mentioned in 2.48% Job Postings): Computer-aided design is the use of computers to aid in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a design. This software is used to increase the productivity of the designer
  • First Aid (Mentioned in 1.78% Job Postings): First aid refers to medical attention that is usually administered immediately after the injury occurs and at the location where it occurred.
Skills Demand Percentage
Consulting 6.14%
CAD 2.48%
First Aid 1.78%
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 Technician I's salary.

  • Project Design: Can increase your salary by up to 68%.
  • Engineering Services: Can increase your salary by up to 63%.
  • Design Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 55%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Project Design $90,643
68%
Engineering Services $87,945
63%
Design Engineering $83,629
55%
Get Latest Data

Civil Engineering Technician I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Civil Engineering Technician I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $60,398. While startup companies pay approximate $51,096.

Civil Engineering Technician I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $51,096
Growth Stage 51~500 $54,040
Established 501~5000 $58,325
Enterprise 5000+ $60,398

Civil Engineering Technician I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Civil Engineering Technician I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Civil Engineering Technician positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Financial Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Civil Engineering Technician I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Civil Engineering Technician I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$64,745$31.020%
Energy & Utilities$62,047$30.015%
Construction$59,349$29.010%
Business Services$56,652$27.05%

How Education impacts an Civil Engineering Technician I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Civil Engineering Technician I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Civil Engineering Technician I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $51,591 and $57,545.

Civil Engineering Technician I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Civil Engineering Technician I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 9.6%
High School 9.6%
Associates 30.1%
Bachelors 54.8%
Masters 4.1%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Civil Engineering Technician I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Civil Engineering Technician I'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
$48,409
Average $53,954/year
$59,255
$4,034
Average $4,496/month
$4,938
$931
Average $1,038/week
$1,140
$23
Average $26/hour
$28
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $59,255 $4,938 $1,140 $28
Average $53,954 $4,496 $1,038 $26
25th Percentile $48,409 $4,034 $931 $23

Civil Engineering Technician I Salary Growth & Career Path

Civil Engineering Technician I

Next Role

Advancement

For a Civil Engineering Technician I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Civil Engineering Technician II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $59,501 - a projected growth of 10% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Civil Engineering Technician I

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

Common company salaries for Civil Engineering Technician I

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

Find Your Next Civil Engineering Technician I Job

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

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Civil Engineering Technician I

1. Where can a Civil Engineering Technician I earn the most?

A Civil Engineering Technician I'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 Technician I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Civil Engineering Technician I is $68,052.

2. What is the highest pay for Civil Engineering Technician I?

The highest pay for Civil Engineering Technician I is $64,081.

3. What is the lowest pay for Civil Engineering Technician I?

The lowest pay for Civil Engineering Technician I is $43,361.

4. What are the responsibilities of Civil Engineering Technician I?

Assists civil engineers in the planning, designing, and building of infrastructure and development projects. Helps engineers in the planning of construction projects such as airports, bridges, channels, dams, railroads, and roads. Estimates workload to establish project deadlines and helps prepare proposals and cost estimates. May be responsible for recommending maintenance, repair, and preparing reports for review by an engineer. Requires a high school diploma. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

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

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Civil Engineering Technician I roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst