Civil Engineer salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Civil Engineers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $94,680 a year ($45.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,990 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,510 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $100,840. Pay here is 3% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $97,120. There are 2.6 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $98,600, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,770 | $31.62 |
| 25th percentile | $76,850 | $36.95 |
| Median | $94,680 | $45.52 |
| 75th percentile | $118,260 | $56.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,510 | $65.63 |
| Average (mean) | $98,600 | $47.40 |
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 | $7,890 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,945 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,641.54 |
| Weekly | $1,820.77 |
| Hourly | $45.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $94,680 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $102,370 | 3,730 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $101,780 | 8,470 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $101,440 | 4,640 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $100,920 | 150 |
| Burlington, NC | $100,220 | 40 |
| Asheville, NC | $100,170 | 400 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $97,530 | 90 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $96,100 | 170 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $96,080 | 210 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $95,800 | 60 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $94,720 | 130 |
| Wilmington, NC | $94,450 | 460 |
| Greenville, NC | $94,410 | 150 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $94,200 | n/a |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $93,940 | 740 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $93,460 | 620 |
| Richmond, VA | $91,300 | 1,680 |
| Roanoke, VA | $90,720 | 250 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $90,070 | 80 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $89,250 | n/a |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $87,510 | 200 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $85,490 | 50 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $84,170 | 350 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $78,770 | 70 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $75,620 | 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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,280 | $48.21 |
| Electrical Engineer | $103,210 | $49.62 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $110,510 | $53.13 |
| Engineers, All Other | $138,590 | $66.63 |
| Industrial Engineer | $101,500 | $48.80 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $102,060 | $49.07 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $139,010 | $66.83 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $131,710 | $63.32 |
| Environmental Engineer | $102,110 | $49.09 |
| Materials Engineer | $116,720 | $56.12 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $97,870 | $47.06 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $102,720 | $49.39 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $96,870 | $46.57 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $57,760 | $27.77 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for civil engineers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $94,680 a year, or $45.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of civil engineers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $136,510 a year. The top 25% earn $118,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,770 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $76,850 or less.
How many civil engineers work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 1,990 civil engineers are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.