Civil Engineers
SOC 17-2051 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Civil Engineers is $166,643, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $172,421, and an estimated 446,263 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +8.3% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -8% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will grow 5% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Civil Engineers has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $95,890 | $95,890 | 327,950 |
| 2022 | $89,940 | $93,642 | 307,570 |
| 2021 | $88,050 | $99,011 | 304,310 |
| 2020 | $88,570 | $104,275 | 300,850 |
Nominal change
+8.3%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-8%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+5%
Faster than average
Employment 2024
368,900
Projected 2034
387,500
Annual Openings
23,600
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Civil Engineers earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $166,643. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $107,660 | -35.4% | 440 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $106,970 | -35.8% | 160 |
| Louisiana | $105,830 | -36.5% | 2,930 |
| California | $105,040 | -37% | 49,010 |
| North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $104,040 | -37.6% | 370 |
| Alaska | $103,730 | -37.8% | 1,630 |
| New York | $103,170 | -38.1% | 16,450 |
| Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | $102,860 | -38.3% | 220 |
| Northeast Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $101,820 | -38.9% | — |
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $101,380 | -39.2% | 280 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$91,653
25th Pct
$124,982
Median
$166,643
75th Pct
$216,635
90th Pct
$274,960
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| CORE TECH CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION | GU | 13 | $65,000 |
| California Department of Transportation | CA | 12 | $110,460 |
| AECOM Technical Services Inc | CA | 7 | $88,400 |
| Webber, LLC | TX | 7 | $91,794 |
| LEGO Construction Co. | FL | 6 | $70,850 |
| Thornton Tomasetti, Inc. | NY | 6 | $109,500 |
| Jacobs Project Management Company | CA | 6 | $104,000 |
| KPFF, Inc. | WA | 5 | $92,400 |
| Terracon Consultants, Inc. | TX | 5 | $85,000 |
| Arup US, Inc. | NY | 5 | $104,000 |
| STV Incorporated | NY | 4 | $118,367 |
| Arcadis U.S., Inc. | NY | 4 | $111,072 |
| AECOM Technical Services Inc | TX | 4 | $120,000 |
| AI ENGINEERS INC | CT | 4 | $89,440 |
| BME & SON'S, INC. | GU | 4 | $56,909 |
| Atkins North America Inc. | TX | 4 | $92,250 |
| CONSOR Engineers, LLC | TX | 4 | $80,080 |
| Magnusson Klemencic Associates, Inc. | WA | 4 | $82,160 |
| Tesla, Inc. | TX | 4 | $120,000 |
| CBG Building Company, LLC | GA | 3 | $82,500 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
Related Occupations in Architecture & Engineering
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