As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for a Civil Engineering Technician I in the United States is $53,956 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:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered HR
AI-Powered Talent
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.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineering Technician I | 0-1 years | $53,956 |
| Civil Engineering Technician II | 1-3 years | $59,498 |
| Civil Engineering Technician III | 3-5 years | $73,160 |
What Am I Worth?
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:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Consulting | 6.14% |
| CAD | 2.48% |
| First Aid | 1.78% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Project Design
|
$90,646 |
68%
|
|
Engineering Services
|
$87,948 |
63%
|
|
Design Engineering
|
$83,632 |
55%
|
|
Leadership
|
$73,920 |
37%
|
|
Initiative
|
$72,301 |
34%
|
|
Networking
|
$71,761 |
33%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Civil Engineering Technician Is enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Engineering Technician I with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $48,503 and $54,841).
Civil Engineering Technician I Salaries by Degree Level
| 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% |
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 March 01, 2026For 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 $59,498 - a projected growth of 10% over your current level.
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Civil Engineering Technician I and their salaries, click below for more details.
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.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
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 $68,055.
The highest pay for Civil Engineering Technician I is $64,118.
The lowest pay for Civil Engineering Technician I is $43,389.
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.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
