What the numbers say
Nebraska's median wage for Civil Engineers was $99,360 in 2024, about 3% above the national median of $96,198. That gap is modest in nominal terms. The real difference shows up once you account for what the money actually buys.
Nebraska's cost-of-living index sits at 91, meaning everyday expenses run roughly 9% below the national baseline. A $99,360 paycheck here stretches closer to $109,000 in purchasing terms. That is a more meaningful premium over the national figure than the headline numbers suggest.
The spread across the pay scale is wide. Civil Engineers at the 10th percentile earned $65,530 in 2024. Those at the 90th percentile earned $137,650, which is more than twice as much. That range reflects real differences in experience, project complexity, and specialization. An entry-level engineer working on local drainage projects and a senior engineer overseeing large transportation infrastructure are doing very different work for very different pay.
BLS projects employment for Civil Engineers to grow 5% between 2024 and 2034, which it classifies as faster than average. Nebraska's 2,010 Civil Engineers represent a relatively small base, so even modest absolute growth translates to a steady pace of openings over the decade.
Salary distribution
Where Nebraska civil engineers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $77,890 and $120,970, with a median of $99,360.
Civil Engineers in Nebraska: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 22 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $88,014. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 5 | $77,000 |
| Level II — qualified | 2 | $109,626 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 2 | $114,376 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Civil Engineers in Nebraska. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| The State of Nebraska, Department of Transportation | Bridge Inspection Engineer | 8 | $67,070 |
| Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska | Postdoctoral Research Associate | 3 | $66,331 |
| Kiewit Power Constructors Co. | Field Engineer 2 | 2 | $97,697 |
| Kiewit Building Group Inc. | Project Engineer | 2 | $114,376 |
| Turner Construction Company | VDC Engineer | 2 | $109,626 |
| AECOM Technical Services, Inc. | Transportation Engineer | 1 | $119,267 |
| Kiewit Infrastructure Co. | Engineer 2 | 1 | $107,640 |
| Sinnott, Gering, and Schmitt Towers, Inc. | Structural Engineer I | 1 | $80,000 |
| HDR Engineering, Inc. | Civil Coordinator | 1 | $70,013 |
| Felsburg Holt & Ullevig, Inc. | Water Resources Engineer I | 1 | $77,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Field Engineer 2 at Kiewit Power Constructors Co.$99,366PlattsmouthDecided Dec 22, 2025I-200-25349-482911
- Bridge Inspection Engineer at The State of Nebraska, Department of Transportation$65,021LincolnDecided Dec 22, 2025I-200-25349-484008
- Postdoctoral Research Associate at Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska$66,331LincolnDecided Dec 3, 2025I-200-25329-437204
- Transportation Engineer at AECOM Technical Services, Inc.$119,267OmahaDecided Nov 24, 2025I-200-25322-415371
- Assistant Professor of Practice at Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska$105,000LincolnDecided Nov 14, 2025I-200-25308-373326
- Field Engineer at Kiewit Power Constructors Co.$96,028PlattsmouthDecided Nov 14, 2025I-200-25308-370501
- Engineer 2 at Kiewit Infrastructure Co.$107,640OmahaWage Level IDecided Aug 26, 2025I-200-25231-252877
- Roadway Design Engineer at The State of Nebraska, Department of Transportation$67,662LincolnDecided Aug 6, 2025I-200-25211-210971
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Civil Engineers pay by experience level in Nebraska
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Civil Engineers in Nebraska, by industry
Median offered wage across 15 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Government and public sector leads with a median of $67,070.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government and public sector | The State of Nebraska, Department of Transportation | 8 | $67,070 |
| Professional services | AECOM Technical Services, Inc. | 4 | $78,500 |
| Education | Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska | 3 | $66,331 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Nebraska over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.7 / 5
Design
Knowledge
- 4.7 / 5
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Building and Construction
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Direct engineering activities, ensuring compliance with environmental, safety, or other governmental regulations.
- 02
Test soils or materials to determine the adequacy and strength of foundations, concrete, asphalt, or steel.
- 03
Inspect project sites to monitor progress and ensure conformance to design specifications and safety or sanitation standards.
- 04
Manage and direct the construction, operations, or maintenance activities at project site.
- 05
Compute load and grade requirements, water flow rates, or material stress factors to determine design specifications.
- 06
Plan and design transportation or hydraulic systems or structures, using computer-assisted design or drawing tools.
- 07
Provide technical advice to industrial or managerial personnel regarding design, construction, program modifications, or structural repairs.
- 08
Analyze survey reports, maps, drawings, blueprints, aerial photography, or other topographical or geologic data.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+5.0%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Civil Engineers in Nebraska?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Civil Engineers in Nebraska is $99,360.
- How does Nebraska compare to the national median for Civil Engineers?
- The Nebraska median is +3.3% versus the BLS national figure of $96,198.
- What is the salary range for Civil Engineers in Nebraska?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $65,530 and the 90th-percentile at $137,650, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Civil Engineers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 5.0% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Civil Engineers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.