Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Civil engineers (SOC 17-2051) employed 367,840 people in May 2025. The median pay is $100,840 a year ($48.48 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $68,240 and the highest-paid 10% more than $163,220. BLS projects its employment to change by +6.4% between 2025 and 2035 (about 22,700 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Bachelor's degree.
Highest median pay: California ($122,500), Alaska ($114,730), Washington ($110,000). Most jobs: California (55,180), Texas (34,870), Florida (23,750).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,240 | $32.81 |
| 25th percentile | $79,930 | $38.43 |
| Median | $100,840 | $48.48 |
| Mean | $108,670 | $52.25 |
| 75th percentile | $129,680 | $62.35 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $163,220 | $78.47 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 380,600 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 405,100 |
| Change in jobs | 24,500 |
| Percent change | +6.4% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 22,700 |
| Self-employed share | 1.9% |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 5,370 | 1.07 | $99,010 | $63,930 | $168,370 | -2% | 13% |
| Alaska | 1,670 | 2.17 | $114,730 | $78,940 | $163,420 | +14% | 15% |
| Arizona | 5,940 | 0.77 | $89,660 | $63,740 | $138,030 | -11% | 22% |
| Arkansas | 1,870 | 0.60 | $85,020 | $44,810 | $132,460 | -16% | 14% |
| California | 55,180 | 1.28 | $122,500 | $77,980 | $175,940 | +21% | 21% |
| Colorado | 13,290 | 1.96 | $101,420 | $76,810 | $165,230 | +1% | 22% |
| Connecticut | 4,370 | 1.09 | $103,150 | $76,350 | $161,670 | +2% | 18% |
| Delaware | 920 | 0.80 | $100,220 | $74,560 | $153,100 | -1% | 18% |
| District of Columbia | 1,650 | 0.99 | $103,880 | $78,780 | $164,200 | +3% | 22% |
| Florida | 23,750 | 1.01 | $98,570 | $58,640 | $166,680 | -2% | 22% |
| Georgia | 9,400 | 0.81 | $84,240 | $62,850 | $153,690 | -16% | 21% |
| Hawaii | 2,640 | 1.78 | $94,280 | $62,900 | $131,810 | -7% | 25% |
| Idaho | 2,630 | 1.30 | $98,030 | $67,250 | $141,020 | -3% | 17% |
| Illinois | 13,910 | 0.96 | $99,760 | $69,590 | $157,410 | -1% | 16% |
| Indiana | 4,030 | 0.53 | $98,270 | $64,200 | $140,130 | -3% | 13% |
| Iowa | 2,500 | 0.68 | $96,430 | $64,900 | $135,480 | -4% | 12% |
| Kansas | 2,880 | 0.85 | $96,880 | $63,260 | $150,640 | -4% | 13% |
| Kentucky | 2,690 | 0.57 | $100,930 | $65,660 | $143,680 | +0% | 12% |
| Louisiana | 3,780 | 0.82 | $105,380 | $64,570 | $156,610 | +5% | 12% |
| Maine | 1,240 | 0.82 | $97,820 | $71,080 | $132,600 | -3% | 15% |
| Maryland | 5,240 | 0.80 | $100,680 | $75,550 | $152,730 | -0% | 21% |
| Massachusetts | 9,450 | 1.10 | $106,730 | $78,280 | $165,590 | +6% | 21% |
| Michigan | 7,760 | 0.74 | $92,100 | $63,920 | $130,400 | -9% | 15% |
| Minnesota | 4,710 | 0.68 | $101,480 | $65,840 | $159,230 | +1% | 15% |
| Mississippi | 1,770 | 0.64 | $100,170 | $49,840 | $162,240 | -1% | 12% |
| Missouri | 5,760 | 0.83 | $92,750 | $64,950 | $139,210 | -8% | 14% |
| Montana | 1,870 | 1.55 | $93,070 | $62,230 | $129,020 | -8% | 15% |
| Nebraska | 2,360 | 0.97 | $103,150 | $68,950 | $149,980 | +2% | 13% |
| Nevada | 3,560 | 0.97 | $104,310 | $77,480 | $160,820 | +3% | 20% |
| New Hampshire | 1,620 | 1.00 | $98,710 | $64,270 | $139,060 | -2% | 19% |
| New Jersey | 6,900 | 0.68 | $104,660 | $74,640 | $169,220 | +4% | 21% |
| New Mexico | 1,350 | 0.66 | $103,900 | $67,100 | $163,570 | +3% | 13% |
| New York | 17,500 | 0.76 | $103,760 | $77,290 | $169,050 | +3% | 19% |
| North Carolina | 12,810 | 1.10 | $100,730 | $70,760 | $160,520 | -0% | 16% |
| North Dakota | 1,380 | 1.35 | $98,190 | $63,290 | $143,740 | -3% | 12% |
| Ohio | 10,560 | 0.80 | $96,220 | $65,170 | $144,620 | -5% | 14% |
| Oklahoma | 2,180 | 0.54 | $98,760 | $66,550 | $153,470 | -2% | 13% |
| Oregon | 4,890 | 1.05 | $105,250 | $77,560 | $166,060 | +4% | 18% |
| Pennsylvania | 15,870 | 1.11 | $97,850 | $67,930 | $141,310 | -3% | 15% |
| Rhode Island | 1,270 | 1.07 | $99,300 | $77,800 | $151,020 | -2% | 17% |
| South Carolina | 7,180 | 1.32 | $101,600 | $67,950 | $156,380 | +1% | 15% |
| South Dakota | 1,440 | 1.33 | $98,700 | $70,050 | $127,090 | -2% | 12% |
| Tennessee | 5,790 | 0.75 | $95,910 | $65,090 | $154,100 | -5% | 16% |
| Texas | 34,870 | 1.05 | $96,860 | $63,240 | $164,330 | -4% | 18% |
| Utah | 5,670 | 1.38 | $96,830 | $62,130 | $149,410 | -4% | 20% |
| Vermont | 770 | 1.07 | $95,600 | $68,720 | $129,390 | -5% | 17% |
| Virginia | 11,350 | 1.17 | $97,120 | $74,000 | $150,710 | -4% | 20% |
| Washington | 12,590 | 1.50 | $110,000 | $81,840 | $160,670 | +9% | 20% |
| West Virginia | 1,300 | 0.78 | $86,930 | $51,640 | $132,960 | -14% | 12% |
| Wisconsin | 7,410 | 1.07 | $94,600 | $67,590 | $131,040 | -6% | 14% |
| Wyoming | 990 | 1.48 | $90,590 | $67,870 | $133,920 | -10% | 13% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 3,170 | $130,280 | $81,790 | $205,330 | 1.18 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 10,990 | $130,160 | $90,860 | $202,730 | 1.96 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 5,590 | $130,150 | $81,680 | $175,940 | 2.19 |
| Redding, CA | 380 | $126,000 | $75,990 | $173,440 | 2.22 |
| Vallejo, CA | 300 | $122,510 | $77,240 | $163,670 | 0.89 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 630 | $121,370 | $79,310 | $176,430 | 2.06 |
| Yuba City, CA | 460 | $119,990 | $77,990 | $156,820 | 3.84 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 610 | $119,980 | $78,580 | $171,050 | 1.28 |
| Fresno, CA | 1,250 | $119,720 | $74,870 | $164,670 | 1.11 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 610 | $116,990 | $78,400 | $165,100 | 0.88 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 7,680 | $116,480 | $82,140 | $161,760 | 1.56 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | 300 | $116,210 | $80,700 | $153,430 | 1.34 |
| Salem, OR | 480 | $115,480 | $78,220 | $147,600 | 1.07 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 3,510 | $115,120 | $75,390 | $168,820 | 0.87 |
| Anchorage, AK | 1,110 | $112,740 | $78,940 | $159,320 | 2.66 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 1,140 | $112,430 | $71,990 | $164,420 | 1.18 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 490 | $111,740 | $79,370 | $174,900 | 1.01 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 720 | $110,210 | $75,580 | $163,890 | 2.50 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 5,620 | $108,900 | $79,410 | $166,430 | 1.54 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 790 | $108,820 | $73,280 | $167,130 | 1.03 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 16,340 | $108,640 | $72,860 | $170,670 | 1.10 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 1,070 | $108,240 | $70,000 | $156,760 | 1.02 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | 860 | $108,240 | $84,500 | $142,050 | 2.78 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 560 | $107,870 | $81,040 | $159,350 | 0.59 |
| Mobile, AL | 790 | $107,810 | $67,850 | $166,120 | 1.93 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 7,970 | $107,670 | $79,580 | $167,360 | 1.25 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 15,590 | $107,330 | $78,250 | $176,400 | 0.69 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 4,180 | $106,280 | $78,860 | $166,060 | 1.46 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | 2,240 | $106,110 | $79,340 | $159,720 | 0.83 |
| Huntsville, AL | 1,010 | $105,760 | $76,110 | $207,990 | 1.60 |
| Springfield, IL | 440 | $105,750 | $74,880 | $163,470 | 1.86 |
| Reno, NV | 730 | $105,470 | $77,460 | $161,700 | 1.11 |
| Albuquerque, NM | 680 | $105,080 | $74,780 | $155,290 | 0.71 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 3,350 | $104,740 | $78,480 | $159,670 | 0.73 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 9,130 | $104,710 | $78,930 | $167,090 | 2.40 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 2,420 | $103,650 | $76,030 | $163,570 | 1.70 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | 330 | $103,430 | $78,510 | $163,820 | 1.10 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | 600 | $103,090 | $67,340 | $138,270 | 0.88 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | 2,000 | $103,010 | $77,000 | $164,890 | 3.65 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | 1,170 | $102,830 | $65,330 | $160,610 | 1.13 |
| New Haven, CT | 460 | $102,690 | $75,840 | $167,610 | 0.69 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 940 | $102,650 | $68,940 | $147,850 | 0.58 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 1,470 | $102,470 | $75,990 | $149,520 | 1.38 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 3,730 | $102,370 | $73,790 | $164,990 | 1.16 |
| Syracuse, NY | 830 | $102,330 | $72,110 | $164,830 | 1.17 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 1,900 | $102,280 | $63,590 | $161,180 | 1.05 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 710 | $102,240 | $73,730 | $134,770 | 1.04 |
| Tulsa, OK | 880 | $102,080 | $73,310 | $151,930 | 0.81 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | 1,240 | $102,020 | $72,080 | $144,040 | 1.06 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | 2,000 | $101,830 | $71,380 | $156,170 | 0.76 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | 590 | $101,820 | $65,070 | $169,640 | 2.00 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 8,470 | $101,780 | $77,970 | $159,990 | 1.14 |
| Worcester, MA | 600 | $101,770 | $74,970 | $151,790 | 0.73 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 4,640 | $101,440 | $74,170 | $163,710 | 2.64 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | 1,100 | $101,090 | $71,900 | $140,340 | 1.93 |
| Modesto, CA | 320 | $101,000 | $73,780 | $167,190 | 0.70 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 12,140 | $100,950 | $67,250 | $168,240 | 1.56 |
| Pittsfield, MA | 300 | $100,810 | $75,200 | $152,430 | 2.24 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 3,720 | $100,740 | $67,170 | $165,320 | 1.11 |
| Helena, MT | 360 | $100,710 | $75,860 | $125,490 | 3.40 |
The median is $100,840 a year ($48.48 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $68,240 and the highest-paid tenth over $163,220 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
367,840 in May 2025, and BLS projects +6.4% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Bachelor's degree (BLS).
California, with a median of $122,500 (among states with published figures).