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Best states for a civil engineer
Quoted expert
Adeeba Raheem Ph.D.
- Rank 1 - 10
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- 41 - 51
It seems like civil engineers are becoming more and more common across America. But working conditions and demand for civil engineers aren't the same everywhere in the U.S. In fact, our research shows that California is the best state for civil engineers in America. The best city in America for civil engineers with the highest pay is San Francisco, CA.
The median salary for civil engineers in California is $91,786. Compare that to the median salary in Arkansas of $57,367, which ranked worst for civil engineers, and you can see how your location is important for your career.We found that California is the best state for civil engineer jobs, whereas Arkansas is the worst.
10 best states for civil engineers in 2025
1. California
Total civil engineer jobs: 2,375 Average annual salary: $91,786 Lowest 10 percent earn: $66,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $126,000 Location Quotient: 1.36
2. Alaska
Total civil engineer jobs: 79 Average annual salary: $81,287 Lowest 10 percent earn: $67,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $98,000 Location Quotient: 1.59
3. Oregon
Total civil engineer jobs: 376 Average annual salary: $76,118 Lowest 10 percent earn: $55,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $104,000 Location Quotient: 1.52
4. Nevada
Total civil engineer jobs: 117 Average annual salary: $75,994 Lowest 10 percent earn: $54,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $105,000 Location Quotient: 0.94
5. Virginia
Total civil engineer jobs: 966 Average annual salary: $75,340 Lowest 10 percent earn: $57,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $99,000 Location Quotient: 1.72
6. Maine
Total civil engineer jobs: 79 Average annual salary: $74,684 Lowest 10 percent earn: $55,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $100,000 Location Quotient: 1
7. Washington
Total civil engineer jobs: 623 Average annual salary: $74,621 Lowest 10 percent earn: $54,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $102,000 Location Quotient: 1.43
8. Massachusetts
Total civil engineer jobs: 483 Average annual salary: $75,947 Lowest 10 percent earn: $56,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $101,000 Location Quotient: 0.88
9. Delaware
Total civil engineer jobs: 101 Average annual salary: $71,877 Lowest 10 percent earn: $54,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $95,000 Location Quotient: 1.35
10. Vermont
Total civil engineer jobs: 48 Average annual salary: $71,573 Lowest 10 percent earn: $53,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $95,000 Location Quotient: 1.05
Civil engineer jobsNear Columbus, OH
How Zippia determines the best states to be a civil engineer
You can read about how the best state rankings are calculated here.
Detailed list of the best states for a civil engineer
| Rank | State | Average salary | Lowest 10% earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $91,786 | $66,000 | 39,536,653 | 2,375 |
| 2 | Alaska | $81,287 | $67,000 | 739,795 | 79 |
| 3 | Oregon | $76,118 | $55,000 | 4,142,776 | 376 |
| 4 | Nevada | $75,994 | $54,000 | 2,998,039 | 117 |
| 5 | Virginia | $75,340 | $57,000 | 8,470,020 | 966 |
| 6 | Maine | $74,684 | $55,000 | 1,335,907 | 79 |
| 7 | Washington | $74,621 | $54,000 | 7,405,743 | 623 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $75,947 | $56,000 | 6,859,819 | 483 |
| 9 | Delaware | $71,877 | $54,000 | 961,939 | 101 |
| 10 | Vermont | $71,573 | $53,000 | 623,657 | 48 |
| 11 | District of Columbia | $74,461 | $56,000 | 693,972 | 190 |
| 12 | New York | $75,485 | $56,000 | 19,849,399 | 681 |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | $71,013 | $53,000 | 12,805,537 | 535 |
| 14 | Louisiana | $70,944 | $52,000 | 4,684,333 | 139 |
| 15 | Oklahoma | $70,864 | $53,000 | 3,930,864 | 126 |
| 16 | North Carolina | $68,874 | $52,000 | 10,273,419 | 517 |
| 17 | New Jersey | $74,987 | $56,000 | 9,005,644 | 326 |
| 18 | Connecticut | $71,311 | $53,000 | 3,588,184 | 179 |
| 19 | Mississippi | $70,441 | $52,000 | 2,984,100 | 72 |
| 20 | Alabama | $66,657 | $50,000 | 4,874,747 | 231 |
| 21 | Tennessee | $68,057 | $51,000 | 6,715,984 | 227 |
| 22 | Colorado | $67,946 | $49,000 | 5,607,154 | 541 |
| 23 | Minnesota | $68,908 | $51,000 | 5,576,606 | 321 |
| 24 | Kentucky | $68,401 | $51,000 | 4,454,189 | 131 |
| 25 | Hawaii | $69,532 | $60,000 | 1,427,538 | 94 |
| 26 | Texas | $65,826 | $49,000 | 28,304,596 | 1,218 |
| 27 | Florida | $67,327 | $50,000 | 20,984,400 | 872 |
| 28 | New Mexico | $67,614 | $49,000 | 2,088,070 | 82 |
| 29 | Rhode Island | $68,597 | $51,000 | 1,059,639 | 43 |
| 30 | New Hampshire | $67,568 | $50,000 | 1,342,795 | 72 |
| 31 | Maryland | $66,554 | $50,000 | 6,052,177 | 525 |
| 32 | North Dakota | $63,460 | $47,000 | 755,393 | 54 |
| 33 | Illinois | $67,539 | $50,000 | 12,802,023 | 598 |
| 34 | Ohio | $64,262 | $48,000 | 11,658,609 | 469 |
| 35 | West Virginia | $65,815 | $49,000 | 1,815,857 | 57 |
| 36 | Missouri | $66,796 | $50,000 | 6,113,532 | 233 |
| 37 | Arizona | $62,986 | $46,000 | 7,016,270 | 395 |
| 38 | Indiana | $62,961 | $47,000 | 6,666,818 | 329 |
| 39 | Iowa | $62,980 | $47,000 | 3,145,711 | 178 |
| 40 | Nebraska | $61,299 | $45,000 | 1,920,076 | 140 |
| 41 | Georgia | $61,434 | $46,000 | 10,429,379 | 617 |
| 42 | South Carolina | $62,311 | $47,000 | 5,024,369 | 217 |
| 43 | Michigan | $60,009 | $45,000 | 9,962,311 | 439 |
| 44 | Wisconsin | $62,382 | $46,000 | 5,795,483 | 248 |
| 45 | Idaho | $61,323 | $43,000 | 1,716,943 | 91 |
| 46 | Montana | $56,606 | $41,000 | 1,050,493 | 114 |
| 47 | Utah | $58,347 | $41,000 | 3,101,833 | 204 |
| 48 | South Dakota | $60,490 | $44,000 | 869,666 | 46 |
| 49 | Wyoming | $51,913 | $37,000 | 579,315 | 42 |
| 50 | Kansas | $59,603 | $44,000 | 2,913,123 | 118 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $57,367 | $43,000 | 3,004,279 | 90 |
Highest paying states for civil engineers
| Rank | State | Avg. Civil Engineer Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $91,786 |
| 2 | Alaska | $81,287 |
| 3 | Oregon | $76,118 |
| 4 | Nevada | $75,994 |
| 5 | Virginia | $75,340 |
| 6 | Maine | $74,684 |
| 7 | Washington | $74,621 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $75,947 |
| 9 | Delaware | $71,877 |
| 10 | Vermont | $71,573 |
| 11 | District of Columbia | $74,461 |
| 12 | New York | $75,485 |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | $71,013 |
| 14 | Louisiana | $70,944 |
| 15 | Oklahoma | $70,864 |
| 16 | North Carolina | $68,874 |
| 17 | New Jersey | $74,987 |
| 18 | Connecticut | $71,311 |
| 19 | Mississippi | $70,441 |
| 20 | Alabama | $66,657 |
| 21 | Tennessee | $68,057 |
| 22 | Colorado | $67,946 |
| 23 | Minnesota | $68,908 |
| 24 | Kentucky | $68,401 |
| 25 | Hawaii | $69,532 |
| 26 | Texas | $65,826 |
| 27 | Florida | $67,327 |
| 28 | New Mexico | $67,614 |
| 29 | Rhode Island | $68,597 |
| 30 | New Hampshire | $67,568 |
| 31 | Maryland | $66,554 |
| 32 | North Dakota | $63,460 |
| 33 | Illinois | $67,539 |
| 34 | Ohio | $64,262 |
| 35 | West Virginia | $65,815 |
| 36 | Missouri | $66,796 |
| 37 | Arizona | $62,986 |
| 38 | Indiana | $62,961 |
| 39 | Iowa | $62,980 |
| 40 | Nebraska | $61,299 |
| 41 | Georgia | $61,434 |
| 42 | South Carolina | $62,311 |
| 43 | Michigan | $60,009 |
| 44 | Wisconsin | $62,382 |
| 45 | Idaho | $61,323 |
| 46 | Montana | $56,606 |
| 47 | Utah | $58,347 |
| 48 | South Dakota | $60,490 |
| 49 | Wyoming | $51,913 |
| 50 | Kansas | $59,603 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $57,367 |
Expert opinions on the best states for civil engineers
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for civil engineers to find work opportunities?
Adeeba Raheem Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, University of Texas
In my opinion, career fairs are viewed as the best platform for students to get hired for entry-level jobs. They should also access campus and community resources for employment support. It is highly suggested that students should gain work-based learning experiences during their time at their academic institute. These experiences not only help them to develop their work-readiness skills but also provide significant networking opportunities. My message would be: “Don’t wait until you graduate.”
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Updated January 8, 2025