Civil Engineering I Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Civil Engineering I in the United States is $75,103 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $86,252
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $69,873 to $80,939
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $65,111

Key Factors That Influence Civil Engineering I Salaries

A Civil Engineering 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 Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Civil Engineering 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $74,674
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $90,914
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $106,563
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $124,820
  • Expert (over 8 years): $149,070
Levels Salary
Civil Eng... Level Civil Engineering I$74,674
Civil Eng... Level Civil Engineering I$90,914
Civil Eng... Level Civil Engineering I$106,563
Civil Eng... Level Civil Engineering I$124,820
Civil Eng... Level Civil Engineering I$149,070

How Do Civil Engineering I 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 Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $83,154.
  • California: $82,839.
  • Massachusetts: $81,735.

Top Paying Cities for Civil Engineering Is

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: $94,728
  • San Francisco: $93,690
  • Oakland: $91,716

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 5.8% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Equipment Maintenance (Mentioned in 2.69% Job Postings): Keeping business equipment in reliable working order and condition to lessen downtime and assure equipment safety.
  • CPR (Mentioned in 1.6% Job Postings): Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 5.8%
Equipment Maintenance 2.69%
CPR 1.6%

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 I's salary.

  • Process Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • CPR: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Process Analysis $81,111
8%
CPR $81,111
8%
Analysis $79,609
6%

Civil Engineering I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Civil Engineering I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Civil Engineering positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Civil Engineering I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Civil Engineering I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$97,634$47.030%
Insurance$93,879$45.025%
Biotechnology$90,124$43.020%
Pharmaceuticals$90,124$43.020%
Software & Networking$86,369$42.015%

How Education impacts a Civil Engineering I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Civil Engineering Is enter the field with a Associate's Degree 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 I with a Associate's Degree is between $73,720 and $78,018).

Civil Engineering I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Civil Engineering I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 0.8%
Associates 2.7%
Bachelors 71.6%
Masters 23.0%
Doctorate 1.6%

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

Understanding how a Civil Engineering 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 September 01, 2026
$69,873
Average $75,103/year
$80,939
$5,823
Average $6,259/month
$6,745
$1,344
Average $1,444/week
$1,557
$34
Average $36/hour
$39
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $80,939 $6,745 $1,557 $39
Average $75,103 $6,259 $1,444 $36
25th Percentile $69,873 $5,823 $1,344 $34

Most common benefits for Civil Engineering I

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

Common company salaries for Civil Engineering I

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

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FAQ about Civil Engineering I

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

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Civil Engineering I roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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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