Civil Engineers Salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Median annual salary $100,370 +0.8% vs national
Median hourly $48.26
10th percentile $66,780
90th percentile $162,060
Employed locally 8,280
National median $99,590

Compare Civil Engineers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Civil Engineers
in
Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $66,780
    25th
    $82,220
    50th (median)
    $100,370
    75th
    $129,460
    90th
    $162,060

    Washington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $123,896 2023 • Census ACS
    Civil Engineers salary vs area income 81% Median Civil Engineers salary is 19% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Civil Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $130,310
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $129,260
    Redding, CA $127,130
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $126,560
    Napa, CA $122,820
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $121,170

    Related occupations in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Engineers, All Other $162,610
    Mechanical Engineers $121,060
    Electrical Engineers $136,820
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval $106,120
    Aerospace Engineers $157,980
    Electronics Engineers, Except Computer $145,480

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Civil Engineers make per hour in Washington?

    The median hourly wage for Civil Engineers in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is $48.26, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $76.92 or more per hour.

    Is Washington above or below average for Civil Engineers salaries?

    The median Civil Engineers salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is 0.8% above the national median of $99,590. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Civil Engineers in Washington?

    Entry-level Civil Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $66,780 per year in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $82,220.