Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Civil engineers work in a sizable profession with 369,000 workers nationwide and steady projected growth of 5.0%. This field offers a structured, professional path built on math, science, and strong analytical abilities. The national median salary of $99,590 indicates that many roles in this occupation can support a solid long-term career. People who enjoy solving complex problems, managing projects, and leading teams may find civil engineering especially appealing. The role draws on both technical strengths—such as mathematics, science, and information technology—and core professional skills like writing, speaking, and decision making. With 24,000 annual openings, there is ongoing movement in the job market, which can create opportunities for new graduates as well as experienced professionals. For those willing to align their skills with employer needs and, if desired, consider high-opportunity states or metro areas, civil engineering presents a well-defined, sustainable career option.
Civil engineers earn a national median annual salary of $99,590, with pay varying meaningfully by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, California reports a median salary of $122,500, the highest in that group. Washington also shows a six-figure median at $110,000, followed by Massachusetts at $106,730 and New York at $103,760. Colorado’s median pay of $101,420 rounds out these strong-state options. Metro-level data highlight even higher salary potential in certain areas. The San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro has a median salary of $130,280, closely followed by San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $130,160. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro shows $107,330, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH reports $107,670, and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV stands at $101,780. These figures suggest that professionals who are mobile and selective about geography may access higher earning tiers within the field.
Civil engineering offers a combination of established employment and steady projected growth. National employment stands at 369,000, indicating a large existing workforce. Projected employment growth of 5.0% signals that the field is expected to expand rather than contract over the forecast period. In addition, there are an estimated 24,000 annual openings, reflecting a mix of new positions and replacement needs. Together, these numbers suggest a market with ongoing opportunities for both entry-level and experienced civil engineers. The identical 5.0% growth rate shown in leading states such as California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington, and in top metro areas like San Jose, New York-Newark-Jersey City, San Francisco, Washington, DC region, and Boston, indicates that this steady expansion pattern is broadly shared across many high-opportunity locations, not concentrated in just one area.
Location can significantly shape the opportunity profile for civil engineers. Among states, California stands out with an opportunity score of 67.38, a median salary of $122,500, and employment of 55,180, combining high pay with a large job base. Massachusetts and New York follow with opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78, and median salaries of $106,730 and $103,760, respectively, offering strong compensation with moderate employment levels of 9,450 and 17,500. Colorado and Washington show slightly lower opportunity scores (56.97 and 56.29) but still report six-figure or near six-figure median pay and sizable employment. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has the highest opportunity score at 77.42 and a median salary of $130,280, while New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ nearly matches that score at 77.27 with 15,590 employed. San Francisco, Washington, DC’s metro, and Boston also provide strong combinations of pay, employment, and opportunity scores, giving mobile professionals several attractive regional options.
Civil engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree, providing a clear educational target for students planning to enter the field. Success in this occupation rests on a blend of technical and professional skills. Mathematics and science form a core foundation, supporting the analytical work needed in many engineering contexts. Critical and analytical thinking, along with problem solving and decision making, are central to evaluating options and choosing appropriate solutions. Project management and leadership skills support organizing work, coordinating people, and guiding efforts over time. Detail orientation helps ensure accuracy and completeness, while strong writing and reading skills support documentation and understanding technical information. Competence with computers and information technology is increasingly important, and effective speaking and listening enable clear communication with colleagues and stakeholders. Together, this skill set aligns well with bachelor’s-level preparation focused on quantitative reasoning, communication, and structured problem solving.
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