Civil Engineer Salary in District of Columbia (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Civil Engineers in District of Columbia, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
District of Columbia Median
$103,880
per year
Hourly Rate
$49.94
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+3% vs US median
US median $100,840
State Rank
#10 of 51
1,650 employed here

How much does a Civil Engineer make in District of Columbia?

A Civil Engineer working in District of Columbia earns a median salary of $103,880 per year, or about $49.94 per hour. That is 3% above the national median of $100,840 for this occupation.

Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $78,780 while the top 10% make $164,200 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $82,120 and $130,720 a year.

Civil Engineer salary range in District of Columbia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$78,780$37.88
25th percentile (early career)$82,120$39.48
50th percentile (median)$103,880$49.94
75th percentile (experienced)$130,720$62.85
90th percentile (top earners)$164,200$78.94

How District of Columbia compares

District of Columbia ranks 10th out of 51 states and territories for Civil Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$122,500
2Alaska$114,730
3Washington$110,000
4Massachusetts$106,730
5Louisiana$105,380

Working as a Civil Engineer in District of Columbia

Nationally, about 368,000 people work as Civil Engineers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare District of Columbia pay ($103,880) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Civil Engineer make in District of Columbia?
The median Civil Engineer salary in District of Columbia is $103,880 per year, or about $49.94 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $78,780 at the entry level to $164,200 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Civil Engineers about 3% more than the national median of $100,840. District of Columbia ranks 10th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Civil Engineers?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $103,880 a year. About 1,650 Civil Engineers are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Civil Engineer salary report

Related salaries

Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians

$66,120
median pay · 76,000 employed

Calibration Technologists and Technicians

$67,820
median pay · 17,000 employed

Drafter, All Other

$63,520
median pay · 14,000 employed

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists

$81,390
median pay · 14,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.