Civil Engineer Salary in Virginia (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Virginia Median
$97,120
per year
Hourly Rate
$46.69
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $100,840
State Rank
#34 of 51
11,350 employed here

How much does a Civil Engineer make in Virginia?

Civil Engineers in Virginia take home a median of $97,120 annually — roughly $46.69 an hour — which runs 4% below the national median of $100,840.

Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $74,000 while the top 10% make $150,710 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $79,150 and $126,780 a year.

Civil Engineer salary range in Virginia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$74,000$35.58
25th percentile (early career)$79,150$38.05
50th percentile (median)$97,120$46.69
75th percentile (experienced)$126,780$60.95
90th percentile (top earners)$150,710$72.46

How Virginia compares

Virginia ranks 34th 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 Virginia

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 Virginia pay ($97,120) 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 Virginia?
The median Civil Engineer salary in Virginia is $97,120 per year, or about $46.69 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $74,000 at the entry level to $150,710 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Civil Engineers about 4% less than the national median of $100,840. Virginia ranks 34th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Civil Engineers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $97,120 a year. About 11,350 Civil Engineers are employed in Virginia. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Civil Engineer salary report

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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.