Civil Engineer salary in District of Columbia
Civil Engineers in District of Columbia earn a median of $103,880 a year ($49.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,650 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,200 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $100,840. District of Columbia ranks 10th of 51 states for civil engineers pay. There are 2.3 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $115,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,780 | $37.88 |
| 25th percentile | $82,120 | $39.48 |
| Median | $103,880 | $49.94 |
| 75th percentile | $130,720 | $62.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,200 | $78.94 |
| Average (mean) | $115,810 | $55.68 |
Half of civil engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,656.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,328.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,995.38 |
| Weekly | $1,997.69 |
| Hourly | $49.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $103,880 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Civil Engineer salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $101,780 | 8,470 |
Highest-paying states for civil engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $122,500 |
| Alaska | $114,730 |
| Washington | $110,000 |
| Massachusetts | $106,730 |
| Louisiana | $105,380 |
| Oregon | $105,250 |
| New Jersey | $104,660 |
| Nevada | $104,310 |
| New Mexico | $103,900 |
| District of Columbia | $103,880 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $151,920 | $73.04 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $133,300 | $64.09 |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | $172,330 | $82.85 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $157,040 | $75.50 |
| Electrical Engineer | $143,000 | $68.75 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $157,600 | $75.77 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $163,360 | $78.54 |
| Industrial Engineer | $103,300 | $49.66 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $100,920 | $48.52 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $102,040 | $49.06 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $97,880 | $47.06 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $97,620 | $46.93 |
| Landscape Architect | $85,100 | $40.91 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in District of Columbia?
The median salary for civil engineers in District of Columbia is $103,880 a year, or $49.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of civil engineers in District of Columbia earn at least $164,200 a year. The top 25% earn $130,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,780 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $82,120 or less.
How many civil engineers work in District of Columbia?
About 1,650 civil engineers are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.