What Civil Engineers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Civil Engineers this way: "Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, and water and sewage systems."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Compute load and grade requirements, water flow rates, or material stress factors to determine design specifications"; "Inspect project sites to monitor progress and ensure conformance to design specifications and safety or sanitation standards"; "Direct or participate in surveying to lay out installations or establish reference points, grades, or elevations to guide construction"; "Estimate quantities and cost of materials, equipment, or labor to determine project feasibility"; "Prepare or present public reports on topics such as bid proposals, deeds, environmental impact statements, or property and right-of-way descriptions".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree.
Job outlook for Civil Engineers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 380,600 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 405,100 in 2035, an increase of 24,500 jobs (+6.4%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 22,700 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 6.0% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $100,840, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Civil Engineers earn the most
Across the 13 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $95,818 in Texas to $117,759 in California, a gap of $21,941 (1.23 times). 7 of those 13 states average above the BLS national median of $100,840 and 6 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 54,040, which is 21.9% of the 246,260 counted across them. Texas follows with 33,820.
Highest-paying states
California ($117,759), New Hampshire ($106,679) and Massachusetts ($105,612) lead the ranking, while Texas ($95,818) and Virginia ($98,634) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Civil Engineers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 15 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Harris County, TX (Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX) at $57,370. The smallest margin is $37,781 in Kings County, NY.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 15 of the 15 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 16.6% and 41.6% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Civil Engineers
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (17-2000) include Computer Hardware Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Mechanical Engineers and Industrial Engineers.
Frequently asked questions about Civil Engineers
What is the national median wage for Civil Engineers?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $100,840. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $95,818 to $117,759.
Which state pays Civil Engineers the most?
California, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $117,759. New Hampshire is next at $106,679.
What is the job outlook for Civil Engineers?
BLS projects employment to grow by 6.4% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 22,700 openings a year.
What education do Civil Engineers need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, according to BLS.
Where can Civil Engineers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Harris County, TX leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $57,370 on a median wage of $100,950.