Civil Project Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Civil Project Engineer make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Civil Project Engineer in the United States is $88,696 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $104,492
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $79,989 to $96,964
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $72,061
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View as table View as graph 25% $79,989 10% $72,061 90% $104,492 75% $96,964 $88,696 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Civil Project Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $96,964 $8,080 $1,865 $47
Average $88,696 $7,391 $1,706 $43
25th Percentile $79,989 $6,666 $1,538 $38
Check out Civil Project Engineer Job Openings in the United States
Senior Civil Construction Project Manager

Congruex - Columbus, OH

Project Engineer

Phillips Infrastructure - Columbus, OH

Project Engineer

BlastOne - Columbus, OH

Project Engineer

Marous Brothers Construction - Columbus, OH

Search More Civil Project Engineer Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Civil Project Engineer Salaries

A Civil Project Engineer'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 Project Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Civil Project Engineer'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): $88,088
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $100,318
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $119,579
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $136,781
  • Expert (over 8 years): $160,506
Levels Salary
Civil Pro... Level Civil Project Engineer$88,088
Project E... Level Civil Project Engineer$100,318
Project E... Level Civil Project Engineer$119,579
Project E... Level Civil Project Engineer$136,781
Project E... Level Civil Project Engineer$160,506
$88,088 0 yr
$100,318 < 2 yrs
$119,579 2-4 yrs
$136,781 5-8 yrs
$160,506 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Civil Project Engineers

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: $111,872
  • San Francisco: $110,647
  • Oakland: $108,315

What Skills Can Increase a Civil Project Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 7.18% Job Postings): Project management is the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge and experience to achieve specific project objectives according to the project acceptance criteria within agreed parameters. Project management has final deliverables that are constrained to a finite timescale and budget.
  • Cost Control (Mentioned in 1.97% Job Postings): Managing and analyzing financial data in determining and reducing business expenses to increase revenue and profitability.
  • Project Engineering (Mentioned in 1.17% Job Postings): Project engineering includes all parts of the design of manufacturing or processing facilities, either new or modifications to and expansions of existing facilities. A "project" consists of a coordinated series of activities or tasks performed by engineers, designers, drafters and others from one or more engineering disciplines or departments. Project tasks consist of such things as performing calculations, writing specifications, preparing bids, reviewing equipment proposals and evaluating or selecting equipment and preparing various lists, such as equipment and materials lists, and creating drawings such as electrical, piping and instrumentation diagrams, physical layouts and other drawings used in design and construction. A small project may be under the direction of a project engineer. Large projects are typically under the direction of a project manager or management team. Some facilities have in house staff to handle small projects, while some major companies have a department that does internal project engineering. Large projects are typically contracted out to engineering companies. Staffing at engineering companies varies according to the work load and duration of employment may only last until an individual's tasks are completed.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 7.18%
Cost Control 1.97%
Project Engineering 1.17%
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 Project Engineer's salary.
  • Earned Value Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Land Development: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Earned Value Management
$94,018
6%
Land Development
$93,131
5%
Consulting
$93,131
5%
Budgeting
$93,131
5%
Civil Engineering
$92,244
4%
AutoCAD
$91,357
3%
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Civil Project Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Civil Project Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Civil Project Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Civil Project Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Civil Project Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$115,305$55.030%
Software & Networking$115,305$55.030%
Financial Services$110,870$53.025%
Energy & Utilities$106,435$51.020%
Internet$106,435$51.020%

How Education impacts a Civil Project Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Civil Project Engineers enter the field with a No Diploma 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 Project Engineer with a No Diploma is between $75,964 and $79,944).

Civil Project Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Civil Project Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.4%
High School 73.6%
Associates 1.4%
Bachelors 73.6%
Masters 25.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Civil Project Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Civil Project Engineer'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

Salary Trends for Civil Project Engineer

Salaries for a Civil Project Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $82,464 in 2023 to around $82,787 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Civil Project Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Civil Project Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$82,464
2024
$83,460
2025
$82,787
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $82,464
2024 $83,460
2025 $82,787
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Civil Project Engineer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Civil Project Engineer

Here are companies hiring for Civil Project Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Civil Project Engineer Job

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

United States
  • Ben Hur

    Columbus, OH

    Ben Hur | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. About Ben Hur ConstructionWith over a century of excellence, Ben Hur Construction has been a trusted name in the construc... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Purge Rite LLC

    Columbus, OH

    Purge Rite LLC | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Description. Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). (Exempt/Non-Exempt): Exempt. Job Description. Job Title. Project Engineer. ... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Limbach Company LLC

    Columbus, OH

    Limbach Company LLC | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Who We Are…. Since our founding in 1901, Limbach’s primary core value has always been simple: We Care. That commitment ex... more

    6 Days Ago

  • George J. Igel &amp; Co., Inc.

    Columbus, OH

    George J. Igel &amp; Co., Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. George J. Igel & Co., Inc. . Project Engineer (PE). Reports to. Project Manager/Assistant Project Manager. FLSA Status. E... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Western Partitions, Inc.

    Columbus, OH

    Western Partitions, Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Project Engineer - Onsite. Western Partitions, Inc. (WPI) is one of the largest and most reputable interior and exterior ... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Elford Inc

    Columbus, OH

    Elford Inc | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Looking to launch your construction career with a company that invests in your growth. Elford is seeking a Project Engine... more

    9 Days Ago

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FAQ about Civil Project Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Civil Project Engineer?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Civil Project Engineer 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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