Civil Engineer Salary 2026 — Take-Home Pay by State
Civil engineers design and oversee construction of infrastructure: bridges, roads, water systems, buildings, and the foundational structures that support modern society.
National Median
$95,000
Best State (Net)
$82,698
Washington
Take-Home TX
$75,663
No state tax
Job Growth
5%
Key Facts — Civil Engineer 2026
BLS median: $95,890 (BLS May 2023 OES)
PE license adds 15–20% pay premium and is required for design stamping
CA seismic structural specialty is uniquely lucrative globally
IIJA ($1.2T infrastructure law) is driving sustained civil engineering hiring
Construction megaprojects (CA HSR, NYC infrastructure) support multi-decade careers
Salary by Experience Level
EIT / New Graduate
$72,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$59,482
Pre-PE license; entry-level
Civil Engineer (PE, mid-career)
$95,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$75,663
PE license required for stamping
Senior Engineer / Project Manager
$130,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$100,121
Project leadership, complex design
Principal / Department Head
$175,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$130,879
Firm leadership, business development
Specialties & Salary Premiums
| Specialty | Est. Salary | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Structural (Seismic) | $114,000 | +20% |
| Water Resources | $109,250 | +15% |
| Transportation | $99,750 | +5% |
| Geotechnical | $109,250 | +15% |
| Environmental | $104,500 | +10% |
| Coastal / Hurricane | $112,100 | +18% |
Best States for Civil Engineers — Real Take-Home Pay
Ranked by estimated take-home pay (single filer, no additional deductions). The highest gross salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.
▲Top 5 — Highest Take-Home
Civil Engineer Salary by State — All 50 States
Take-home estimates for a single filer with no additional deductions. Click any state for the full breakdown.
| State | Gross Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| $105,000 | $82,698 | |
| $102,000 | $80,587 | |
| $105,000 | $77,758 | |
| $105,000 | $77,668 | |
| $108,000 | $77,605 | |
| $102,000 | $75,467 | |
| $100,000 | $74,191 | |
| $98,000 | $74,169 | |
| $100,000 | $73,877 | |
| $92,000 | $73,552 | |
| $92,000 | $73,552 | |
| $92,000 | $73,552 | |
13Maryland | $100,000 | $72,691 |
| $88,000 | $70,738 | |
15Illinois | $94,000 | $70,451 |
16Arizona | $90,000 | $70,298 |
17Hawaii | $95,000 | $69,496 |
| $90,000 | $69,382 | |
19Delaware | $92,000 | $68,821 |
| $92,000 | $68,819 | |
21Ohio | $88,000 | $68,753 |
22Oregon | $95,000 | $68,688 |
| $90,000 | $68,397 | |
| $84,000 | $67,924 | |
| $88,000 | $67,736 | |
26Utah | $88,000 | $66,881 |
| $85,000 | $66,453 | |
28Georgia | $86,000 | $65,788 |
29Missouri | $85,000 | $65,639 |
30Michigan | $85,000 | $65,266 |
| $80,000 | $65,110 | |
| $85,000 | $65,053 | |
| $80,000 | $64,831 | |
34Indiana | $82,000 | $64,128 |
| $78,000 | $63,703 | |
36Nebraska | $82,000 | $63,490 |
| $82,000 | $63,396 | |
38Idaho | $82,000 | $63,279 |
39Vermont | $82,000 | $63,215 |
40Kansas | $82,000 | $62,741 |
41Iowa | $80,000 | $62,682 |
| $80,000 | $62,516 | |
43Kentucky | $80,000 | $62,428 |
44Maine | $82,000 | $62,268 |
45Oklahoma | $80,000 | $62,056 |
46Montana | $80,000 | $61,951 |
47Alabama | $80,000 | $61,789 |
48Arkansas | $78,000 | $61,276 |
| $75,000 | $59,047 | |
| $75,000 | $58,685 |
Maximize Your Take-Home
401(k) — $24,500 max
Reduces taxable income dollar-for-dollar
HSA — $4,400 single
Triple tax advantage — deductible, grows tax-free, tax-free withdrawals
FSA — $3,300 max
Medical expenses with pre-tax dollars
State consideration
Moving to TX, FL, WA can save $5,000–$15,000/year in taxes
Calculate Your Exact Take-Home as a Civil Engineer
Add 401(k), HSA, dependents, and more to see your personalized take-home in your state.
Open Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about your taxes and our calculator.
Civil Engineer Salary by State — Detailed Pages
Alabama
$61,789
net
AlaskaNo state tax
$80,587
net
Arizona
$70,298
net
Arkansas
$61,276
net
California
$77,605
net
Colorado
$74,169
net
Connecticut
$75,467
net
Delaware
$68,821
net
FloridaNo state tax
$70,738
net
Georgia
$65,788
net
Hawaii
$69,496
net
Idaho
$63,279
net
Illinois
$70,451
net
Indiana
$64,128
net
Iowa
$62,682
net
Kansas
$62,741
net
Kentucky
$62,428
net
Louisiana
$66,453
net
Maine
$62,268
net
Maryland
$72,691
net
Massachusetts
$77,668
net
Michigan
$65,266
net
Minnesota
$68,819
net
Mississippi
$58,685
net
Missouri
$65,639
net
Montana
$61,951
net
Nebraska
$63,490
net
NevadaNo state tax
$73,552
net
New HampshireNo state tax
$73,552
net
New Jersey
$77,758
net
New Mexico
$62,516
net
New York
$73,877
net
North Carolina
$67,736
net
North Dakota
$64,831
net
Ohio
$68,753
net
Oklahoma
$62,056
net
Oregon
$68,688
net
Pennsylvania
$69,382
net
Rhode Island
$68,397
net
South Carolina
$63,396
net
South DakotaNo state tax
$63,703
net
TennesseeNo state tax
$67,924
net
TexasNo state tax
$73,552
net
Utah
$66,881
net
Vermont
$63,215
net
Virginia
$74,191
net
WashingtonNo state tax
$82,698
net
West Virginia
$59,047
net
Wisconsin
$65,053
net
WyomingNo state tax
$65,110
net