Civil Engineers Employment and Wages in 2022

In 2022, the Civil Engineers occupation accounted for over 308 thousand jobs in the United States, reflecting an increase of 1.1% from 2021. The annual mean wage in 2022 was $97,380, and the median wage was $89,940. Compared to the national average for all occupations, the wages for this occupation were higher by 57.3%.

Industry Sub-Groups

Among industry sectors, Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services held the largest number of jobs for the Civil Engineers occupation, employing over 169 thousand people in 2022. The annual mean wage in this sector was $98,840, with a median wage of $89,920. There was a decrease in wage variance to the national average compared to 2021, with the variance shifting from 2.7% to 1.5%, indicating industry sector wages lagged national wage trends.

Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding state and local schools and hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OES Designation) accounted for a substantial employment share for this occupation, with 79 thousand people employed in 2022. The annual mean wage for this sub-group was $97,780, and the median wage was $96,790. In terms of wage variance to the national average, there was an increase compared to 2021, with the variance shifting from -0.4% to 0.4%.

The Construction sector also had considerable industry employment, with approximately 38 thousand people employed in 2022. The annual mean wage in this sub-group was $85,210 and the median wage was $78,730. The wage variance to the national average experienced an increase compared to 2021, with the variance shifting from -14.3% to -12.5%.

Highest Location Concentration

When we examine the top locations in terms of proportional employment within the Civil Engineers occupation, we find that Walla Walla, WA had the highest concentration of jobs (3.5 times the national occupational employment share). The location had an annual mean wage in 2022, at $102,500, and a median wage of $103,170. The location variance to the national average was 5.3%. Fairbanks, AK had the next highest concentration of jobs (3.4 times the national occupational employment share) and an annual mean wage of $104,550 and a median wage of $99,530. The industry variance to the national average was 7.4%. Olympia-Tumwater, WA had 3.1 times the national occupational employment share and an annual mean wage of $96,160 and a median wage of $95,010. The industry variance to the national average was -1.3%.

Summary

In 2022, the Civil Engineers occupation in the United States saw a modest increase of 1.1%, totaling over 308 thousand jobs. With an annual mean wage of $97,380 and a median wage of $89,940, civil engineers earned wages surpassing the national average for all occupations by 57.3%. Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services emerged as the dominant industry sector, employing over 169 thousand civil engineers. Although wages in this sector slightly lagged behind national trends, there was a decrease in wage variance compared to the previous year. Additionally, Federal, State, and Local Government employment significantly contributed to the occupation, with 79 thousand individuals employed, experiencing a slight increase in wage variance relative to the national average. The Construction sector also played a notable role, employing approximately 38 thousand civil engineers, albeit with an increased wage variance compared to the previous year. Analyzing location concentration, Walla Walla, WA, showcased the highest job concentration, offering wages slightly above the national average. Fairbanks, AK, and Olympia-Tumwater, WA, followed closely, each exhibiting substantial employment shares with varying wage differentials relative to the national average.

For more detailed insights, visit our Civil Engineers Dashboard or consider purchasing Aimiax’s 2022 Civil Engineers Report.