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.
US Average
$108,670
BLS, May 2025
Best State (Net)
$92,427
Alaska
Take-Home TX
$82,170
on $104,250 · No state tax
Job Growth
5%
Source: BLS, May 2025 · Civil Engineers (SOC 17-2051)
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
US Pay Range
Pay percentiles for Civil Engineers across the US (BLS, May 2025), with the estimated take-home in Texas.
Bottom 10%
$68,240
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$56,837
25th percentile
$79,930
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$65,061
Median
$100,840
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$79,771
75th percentile
$129,680
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$99,902
Top 10%
$163,220
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$122,827
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
BLS average pay in each state (BLS, May 2025) and the estimated take-home for a single filer with no additional deductions. Click any state for the full breakdown.
| State | Average Pay (BLS) | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| $118,830 | $92,427 | |
| $117,670 | $91,611 | |
| $114,970 | $89,711 | |
| $124,540 | $87,433 | |
| $117,330 | $85,725 | |
| $117,880 | $85,285 | |
| $114,460 | $85,025 | |
| $114,750 | $83,955 | |
| $111,300 | $83,007 | |
| $104,250 | $82,170 | |
| $108,250 | $82,111 | |
| $103,810 | $81,860 | |
| $110,560 | $81,859 | |
14Oregon | $116,160 | $81,723 |
| $103,340 | $81,530 | |
| $110,920 | $81,157 | |
17Alabama | $107,550 | $80,095 |
18Nebraska | $106,860 | $80,023 |
| $107,000 | $79,496 | |
20Kentucky | $105,310 | $79,347 |
| $104,840 | $79,123 | |
| $99,620 | $78,913 | |
23Oklahoma | $105,570 | $78,893 |
| $104,760 | $78,857 | |
| $99,500 | $78,828 | |
26Delaware | $107,650 | $78,798 |
| $107,500 | $78,670 | |
28Illinois | $105,390 | $77,900 |
29Virginia | $105,340 | $77,694 |
| $98,780 | $77,676 | |
31Ohio | $100,810 | $77,413 |
32Maryland | $107,320 | $77,210 |
| $96,810 | $76,936 | |
| $100,750 | $76,615 | |
35Indiana | $100,010 | $76,266 |
36Iowa | $99,950 | $75,999 |
37Idaho | $101,160 | $75,743 |
38Arizona | $97,130 | $75,135 |
39Utah | $100,300 | $74,928 |
40Kansas | $100,810 | $74,924 |
41Missouri | $98,970 | $74,832 |
42Georgia | $98,300 | $73,827 |
43Maine | $99,310 | $73,615 |
44Vermont | $97,480 | $73,497 |
| $97,330 | $73,033 | |
46Michigan | $94,870 | $71,790 |
47Hawaii | $96,270 | $70,653 |
48Montana | $92,650 | $70,135 |
| $91,220 | $69,714 | |
50Arkansas | $89,500 | $68,969 |
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
$80,095
net
AlaskaNo state tax
$92,427
net
Arizona
$75,135
net
Arkansas
$68,969
net
California
$87,433
net
Colorado
$85,025
net
Connecticut
$81,157
net
Delaware
$78,798
net
FloridaNo state tax
$81,860
net
Georgia
$73,827
net
Hawaii
$70,653
net
Idaho
$75,743
net
Illinois
$77,900
net
Indiana
$76,266
net
Iowa
$75,999
net
Kansas
$74,924
net
Kentucky
$79,347
net
Louisiana
$82,111
net
Maine
$73,615
net
Maryland
$77,210
net
Massachusetts
$85,725
net
Michigan
$71,790
net
Minnesota
$78,670
net
Mississippi
$79,123
net
Missouri
$74,832
net
Montana
$70,135
net
Nebraska
$80,023
net
NevadaNo state tax
$89,711
net
New HampshireNo state tax
$78,913
net
New Jersey
$83,955
net
New Mexico
$83,007
net
New York
$85,285
net
North Carolina
$78,857
net
North Dakota
$77,676
net
Ohio
$77,413
net
Oklahoma
$78,893
net
Oregon
$81,723
net
Pennsylvania
$76,615
net
Rhode Island
$81,859
net
South Carolina
$79,496
net
South DakotaNo state tax
$78,828
net
TennesseeNo state tax
$81,530
net
TexasNo state tax
$82,170
net
Utah
$74,928
net
Vermont
$73,497
net
Virginia
$77,694
net
WashingtonNo state tax
$91,611
net
West Virginia
$69,714
net
Wisconsin
$73,033
net
WyomingNo state tax
$76,936
net