Civil Structural Designer Salary in the United States

How much does a Civil Structural Designer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Civil Structural Designer in the United States is $93,948 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $45.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $108,089
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $85,638 to $101,350
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $78,073

Key Factors That Influence Civil Structural Designer Salaries

A Civil Structural Designer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Civil Structural Designer 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 Structural Designers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $104,019.
  • California: $103,624.
  • Massachusetts: $102,243.

Top Paying Cities for Civil Structural Designers

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: $118,496
  • San Francisco: $117,199
  • Oakland: $114,729

What Skills Can Increase a Civil Structural Designer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.11% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • AutoCAD (Mentioned in 1.71% Job Postings): AutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided design and drafting software application. Developed and marketed by Autodesk, AutoCAD was first released in December 1982 as a desktop app running on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers.
  • Programming (Mentioned in 1.27% Job Postings): Executing logic to facilitate computing operations and functionality in one or more languages.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.11%
AutoCAD 1.71%
Programming 1.27%

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 Structural Designer's salary.

  • Java: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Python: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Java $109,919
17%
Python $108,040
15%
Analysis $106,161
13%

Civil Structural Designer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Civil Structural Designer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Civil Structural Designer positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Civil Structural Designer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Civil Structural Designer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$117,434$56.025%
Software & Networking$112,737$54.020%
Energy & Utilities$108,040$52.015%
Financial Services$108,040$52.015%
Healthcare$103,342$50.010%

How Education impacts a Civil Structural Designer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Civil Structural Designers 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 Structural Designer with a No Diploma is between $82,008 and $88,535).

Civil Structural Designer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Civil Structural Designer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 75.0%
High School 25.0%
Associates 0.0%
Bachelors 75.0%
Masters 25.0%
Doctorate 0.0%

Civil Structural Designer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Civil Structural Designer'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
$85,638
Average $93,948/year
$101,350
$7,137
Average $7,829/month
$8,446
$1,647
Average $1,807/week
$1,949
$41
Average $45/hour
$49
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $101,350 $8,446 $1,949 $49
Average $93,948 $7,829 $1,807 $45
25th Percentile $85,638 $7,137 $1,647 $41

Most common benefits for Civil Structural Designer

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

Common company salaries for Civil Structural Designer

Here are companies hiring for Civil Structural Designer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Civil Structural Designer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Civil Structural Designer?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Civil Structural Designer 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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