Civil Engineer Salary in New York, NY: $118,321 (2024)
Official 2024 BLS Data | $56.89/hour | $75,926 - $171,840 range
Median Annual Salary
$118,321
Hourly Rate
$56.89
/hour
Jobs in Area
625
employed
Compare to Other Cities
See All →New York, NY
$118,321
San Jose, CA
$133,493
in San Jose, CA
Civil Engineer Salary Range in New York, NY
Annual Salary Range
$76k
10th percentile
$95k
25th
$140k
75th
$172k
90th percentile
Salary Breakdown by Percentile
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (Entry Level) | $75,926 | $36.50 |
| 25th Percentile | $94,948 | $45.65 |
| Median (50th Percentile) | $118,321 | $56.89 |
| 75th Percentile | $140,156 | $67.38 |
| 90th Percentile (Top Earners) | $171,840 | $82.62 |
| Average (Mean) | $125,944 | $60.55 |
Civil Engineer Market Insights for New York, NY
Compensation Overview
Civil Engineers in New York, NY are among the highest paid in both the nation and New York. This premium reflects the competitive local market and strong demand from employers seeking top talent in the region.
Local Market Context
New York, NY is a high cost-of-living metro area, which typically correlates with higher nominal salaries. While wages may appear higher, purchasing power should be carefully evaluated against housing, transportation, and everyday expenses in the New York market.
Cost of Living Impact
Cost of living adjustments reduce effective purchasing power by approximately 22% compared to national averages. When evaluating opportunities in New York, NY, factor in higher expenses for housing and daily necessities.
Career Outlook
The Civil Engineer profession offers diverse career opportunities across industries. Professional development and continuous learning are key factors in advancing within this field. With a 126% salary range from entry-level to top earners, there is substantial room for financial growth as you advance in your career.
Tips for Increasing Your Salary
- •Develop specialized expertise to command higher compensation—top earners make 45% more than median salaries
- •Build a professional network through industry associations and local business groups
- •Pursue relevant certifications or advanced education to demonstrate expertise
+23%
vs National Avg
+21%
vs State Avg
126%
Salary Range
625
Jobs in Area
Career Path & Salary Progression
Typical Civil Engineer salary growth in New York, NY based on experience level.
Entry Level
0-2 years10th percentile
$75,926
/year
Early Career
2-5 years25th percentile
$94,948
/year
Mid Career
5-10 years50th percentile
$118,321
/year
Senior
10-15 years75th percentile
$140,156
/year
Expert
15+ years90th percentile
$171,840
/year
Note: Career progression and salary growth vary based on company size, industry, skills, and performance. These estimates use percentile data from the BLS as a general guide for typical career paths.
Civil Engineer Job Market in New York, NY
Where Civil Engineers Work
Civil Engineers work across multiple industries including corporations, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and consulting firms. Each sector offers different compensation structures and career trajectories.
Local Employment Landscape
Employment in this occupation is more limited in New York, NY compared to larger metros. Professionals may find opportunities concentrated among fewer employers, making employer research and networking particularly valuable.
Types of Employers Hiring
Large Corporations
Typically offer comprehensive benefits, structured advancement, and competitive base salaries with bonus potential
Small to Medium Businesses
May provide more responsibility earlier in your career, flexible work arrangements, and equity opportunities
Government Agencies
Known for job security, excellent benefits packages, pension plans, and work-life balance
Professional Services Firms
Provide client exposure, rapid skill development, and often above-market compensation for top performers
Skills That Increase Earning Potential
Job Search Strategy for New York, NY
- •Research major employers in the New York-Newark-Jersey City area and follow them on LinkedIn for job alerts
- •Join local professional associations for networking and job leads specific to New York
- •Tailor your salary expectations based on the New York, NY market rate of $118,321
- •Consider roles at varying experience levels—entry positions start at $75,926 in this market
Frequently Asked Questions
The median civil engineer salary in New York, NY is $118,321 per year ($56.89/hour) as of 2026. This is based on official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Salaries range from $75,926 for entry-level positions to $171,840 for experienced professionals in the top 10%.
Entry-level civil engineers in New York, NY typically start at around $75,926 per year ($36.50/hour), representing the 10th percentile. New graduates and those with less than 2 years of experience fall into this range. With experience and skill development, salaries can progress to the median of $118,321 within 3-5 years.
Civil Engineers in New York, NY earn a median hourly wage of $56.89 per hour. Hourly rates range from $36.50/hour at entry-level (10th percentile) to $82.62/hour for top earners (90th percentile). Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, this translates to annual salaries between $75,926 and $171,840.
The median civil engineer salary of $118,321 in New York, NY is significantly above the national median of $95,890 (23.4% higher). The cost of living is 29% above average. This salary places you at the 50th percentile, meaning half of civil engineers in the area earn more and half earn less.
Civil Engineers in New York, NY earn significantly above the national average. The local median salary of $118,321 is 23.4% higher than the national median of $95,890. The cost of living is 29% above average. When adjusted for cost of living, the effective salary is approximately $91,936.
The top 10% of civil engineers in New York, NY earn $171,840 or more per year ($82.62/hour). These top earners typically have 10+ years of experience, advanced certifications, specialized expertise, or hold senior/management positions. The 75th percentile earns $140,156, which is a realistic goal for mid-career professionals.
Key skills that can boost civil engineer salary in New York, NY include: Strong communication and interpersonal abilities, Problem-solving and critical thinking, Technical proficiency relevant to the field, Attention to detail and organizational skills. Professionals with these skills often earn above the median of $118,321, potentially reaching the 75th percentile ($140,156) or higher. Years of relevant experience
New York, NY has a moderate job market for civil engineers, with approximately 625 professionals employed in the area. The median salary of $118,321 is significantly above the national average. The cost of living is 29% above average. Job seekers should consider both salary and local industry demand when evaluating opportunities.
Compare your civil engineer salary to these New York, NY benchmarks: 10th percentile (entry-level): $75,926, 25th percentile: $94,948, 50th percentile (median): $118,321, 75th percentile: $140,156, 90th percentile (top earners): $171,840. If you earn more than $118,321, you're above average for the area.
Beyond the $118,321 median base salary, civil engineers in New York, NY typically receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement plans (401k with employer matching), paid time off (15-25 days), and potentially bonuses or profit-sharing. Total compensation including benefits typically adds 25-40% to base salary value.
Experienced civil engineers with 5-10 years in New York, NY typically earn $140,156 (75th percentile) to $171,840 (90th percentile) per year. Senior professionals with 10+ years, certifications, or management roles can reach the top 10% at $171,840. Mid-career professionals (3-5 years) usually earn around the median of $118,321.
Civil Engineers in New York, NY can see significant salary growth over their careers. Entry-level ($75,926) to median ($118,321) typically takes 3-5 years. Reaching the 90th percentile ($171,840) may take 10+ years and often requires specialized skills, certifications, or leadership experience. That's a potential growth of $95,914 over a career.
Data Source & Methodology
Official government statistics you can trust
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program
Visit Official BLS WebsiteData Year
2024
2 Years Old
Geographic Area
New York-Newark-Jersey City
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Occupation Code
17-2051
SOC Classification
Sample Size
625
Employees Surveyed
How This Data Is Collected
The OEWS program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations across all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Approximately 1.1 million establishments are surveyed over a three-year period, representing the most comprehensive wage data available for the U.S. labor market.
Note: Percentile wages represent actual reported wages and may differ from individual compensation packages that include benefits, bonuses, and equity.
Last updated: January 23, 2026
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Civil Engineer in New York, NY
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Median: $118,321/yr
How New York, NY Compares
vs National Average
$95,890
vs New York Average
$97,990
Cost-of-Living Adjusted
$91,936
Cost of living in New York, NY is 28.7% above the national average.
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