Is your future salary worth the time in school?
After graduation, civil engineering graduates typically earn high salaries compared to the national average. Top earners make $122,107, while the bottom 20% make closer to $56,816. The median grad salary is $83,292.
Civil Engineering graduate salaries over time
The typical early career salary for someone with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering is $51,493, and within five years of graduation, this average salary goes up to $67,270.
This chart maps the average workforce wage by years of experience:
Wage ($USD)
Wage Range Median Wage
Years of work experience
Highest paying jobs for civil engineering graduates
The highest paying careers for civil engineering graduates are construction manager, environmental engineer, water engineer and engineer, with top salaries averaging around $92,522.
Highest Paying Careers
Avg Pay (USD)
As per most recent US census
Pro tip
Still unsure if a degree in civil engineering is your calling? Read our comprehensive guide on choosing a career