Civil Engineer salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Civil Engineers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $116,480 a year ($56.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,680 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,760 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $100,840. Pay here is 6% higher than the Washington statewide median of $110,000. There are 3.7 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $121,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,140 | $39.49 |
| 25th percentile | $100,290 | $48.22 |
| Median | $116,480 | $56.00 |
| 75th percentile | $134,500 | $64.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,760 | $77.77 |
| Average (mean) | $121,520 | $58.42 |
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 | $9,706.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,853.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,480 |
| Weekly | $2,240 |
| Hourly | $56.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $116,480 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Civil Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Walla Walla, WA | $123,030 | 190 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $121,370 | 630 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $116,210 | 300 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $108,240 | 860 |
| Bellingham, WA | $107,790 | 220 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $106,280 | 4,180 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $102,750 | 60 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $101,300 | 150 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $100,510 | 600 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $100,510 | 180 |
| Yakima, WA | $100,510 | 210 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $78,090 | 80 |
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 |
See Civil Engineer pay in every state or the Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | $163,580 | $78.64 |
| Electrical Engineer | $140,210 | $67.41 |
| Industrial Engineer | $131,210 | $63.08 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $126,590 | $60.86 |
| Engineers, All Other | $137,430 | $66.07 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $169,120 | $81.31 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $138,890 | $66.78 |
| Environmental Engineer | $128,410 | $61.74 |
| Materials Engineer | $156,130 | $75.06 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $161,050 | $77.43 |
| Chemical Engineer | $125,200 | $60.19 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $129,820 | $62.42 |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | $128,610 | $61.83 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $134,800 | $64.81 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for civil engineers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $116,480 a year, or $56.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of civil engineers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $161,760 a year. The top 25% earn $134,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,140 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $100,290 or less.
How many civil engineers work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 7,680 civil engineers are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.