Civil Engineer salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Civil Engineers in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median of $101,090 a year ($48.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,100 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,340 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $100,840. Pay here is 3% lower than the New Jersey statewide median of $104,660. There are 4.6 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $106,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,900 | $34.57 |
| 25th percentile | $83,860 | $40.32 |
| Median | $101,090 | $48.60 |
| 75th percentile | $127,730 | $61.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $140,340 | $67.47 |
| Average (mean) | $106,520 | $51.21 |
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 | $8,424.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,212.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,888.08 |
| Weekly | $1,944.04 |
| Hourly | $48.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $101,090 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Jersey 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $107,330 | 15,590 |
| Vineland, NJ | $100,620 | 60 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $99,410 | 6,160 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $99,360 | 170 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $98,760 | 600 |
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 New Jersey statewide figures.
Related jobs in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Engineer | $92,150 | $44.30 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,920 | $48.04 |
| Engineers, All Other | $125,320 | $60.25 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,470 | $48.78 |
| Electrical Engineer | $110,990 | $53.36 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $135,710 | $65.24 |
| Materials Engineer | $103,660 | $49.84 |
| Chemical Engineer | $135,110 | $64.96 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $111,310 | $53.52 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $80,710 | $38.80 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $109,140 | $52.47 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $64,590 | $31.05 |
| Surveyor | $75,870 | $36.48 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $75,030 | $36.07 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median salary for civil engineers in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $101,090 a year, or $48.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The top 10% of civil engineers in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn at least $140,340 a year. The top 25% earn $127,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,900 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $83,860 or less.
How many civil engineers work in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
About 1,100 civil engineers are employed in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.