Civil engineers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Civil engineers in the United States earn a median salary of $100,840 per year — about $48 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 369K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +5%.
AI & Automation Risk
Civil engineering involves significant digital knowledge work, including CAD design, data analysis, and cost estimation, which are highly susceptible to AI-driven productivity gains. However, the role is anchored by the necessity for physical site inspections, real-world surveying, and the legal accountability of a Professional Engineer (PE) license, which requires human judgment and liability that AI cannot currently replace.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mankato, MNBEST VALUE | $128,220 | Below avg (87.6) | $146,291 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $123,030 | Average (97.9) | $125,636 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $112,430 | Below avg (91.2) | $123,234 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $121,370 | Average (98.9) | $122,739 |
| Redding, CA | $126,000 | Above avg (103.0) | $122,329 |
| Mobile, AL | $107,810 | Below avg (88.7) | $121,492 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $107,400 | Below avg (88.9) | $120,746 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $130,150 | Above avg (109.1) | $119,304 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $100,300 | Below avg (84.5) | $118,769 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $108,240 | Below avg (91.2) | $118,692 |
| Monroe, LA | $99,180 | Below avg (83.6) | $118,574 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $100,950 | Below avg (85.6) | $117,967 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $100,330 | Below avg (85.3) | $117,605 |
| Santa Fe, NM | $110,470 | Below avg (94.1) | $117,441 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $100,520 | Below avg (85.9) | $117,008 |