Civil Engineer Salary in Washington (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Washington Median
$110,000
per year
Hourly Rate
$52.88
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+9% vs US median
US median $100,840
State Rank
#3 of 51
12,590 employed here

How much does a Civil Engineer make in Washington?

A Civil Engineer working in Washington earns a median salary of $110,000 per year, or about $52.88 per hour. That is 9% above the national median of $100,840 for this occupation.

Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $81,840 while the top 10% make $160,670 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $96,230 and $133,050 a year.

Civil Engineer salary range in Washington

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$81,840$39.35
25th percentile (early career)$96,230$46.26
50th percentile (median)$110,000$52.88
75th percentile (experienced)$133,050$63.97
90th percentile (top earners)$160,670$77.25

How Washington compares

Washington ranks 3rd 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 Washington

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 Washington pay ($110,000) 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 Washington?
The median Civil Engineer salary in Washington is $110,000 per year, or about $52.88 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $81,840 at the entry level to $160,670 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Civil Engineers about 9% more than the national median of $100,840. Washington ranks 3rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Civil Engineers?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $110,000 a year. About 12,590 Civil Engineers are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.