Civil Engineer Salary Breakdown — Gross vs. Take-Home
National median: $95,890/year. After federal taxes (single filer), that's $75,845/year take-home — 20.9% effective rate.
Civil Engineer Salary After Federal Tax by Experience Level
Take-home calculated for single filer, federal taxes only (no state income tax baseline).
| Level | Gross Salary | Take-Home / Year | Monthly | Eff. Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | $60,000 | $50,249 | $4,187 | 16.3% |
| 25th Percentile | $74,000 | $60,445 | $5,037 | 18.3% |
| MedianBLS Median | $95,890 | $75,845 | $6,320 | 20.9% |
| 75th Percentile | $124,000 | $95,507 | $7,959 | 23.0% |
| 90th Percentile | $158,000 | $118,746 | $9,896 | 24.8% |
| Senior Level | $140,000 | $106,443 | $8,870 | 24.0% |
Civil Engineer Take-Home Pay by State
Salary figures adjusted for state cost of living and local market rates. Single filer.
| State | Est. Salary | Take-Home / Year | Monthly | Eff. Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $117,705 | $82,643 | $6,887 | 29.8% |
| Texas | $103,801 | $81,410 | $6,784 | 21.6% |
| New York | $126,335 | $90,487 | $7,541 | 28.4% |
| Nevada | $106,678 | $83,434 | $6,953 | 21.8% |
| Washington | $109,315 | $85,289 | $7,107 | 22.0% |
About This Career
Civil engineers design infrastructure including roads, bridges, water systems, and buildings, with the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law sustaining elevated demand for the decade. California and Texas lead employment given their ongoing mega-project pipelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Civil Engineer salary in the US?+
The national median Civil Engineer salary is $95,890 per year (BLS data). The middle 50% of earners fall between $74,000 and $124,000, while the top 10% earn over $158,000.
How much does a Civil Engineer take home after taxes?+
A Civil Engineer earning the median $95,890 takes home approximately $75,845 after federal taxes (single filer, assuming no state income tax). Add state taxes to get a more precise figure for your location.
Where do Civil Engineers earn the most?+
The highest-paying states for Civil Engineers are California, Texas, New York. Top cities include San Francisco, New York City, Seattle, where salaries can exceed $124,000 for experienced professionals.