Civil Engineers in New York. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
The median Civil Engineer in New York earned $102,440 in 2024, about 6.5% above the US median of $96,198. That premium is real but modest compared to what some readers expect from a high-cost state.
The spread between the bottom and top of the pay range tells a more interesting story. Civil Engineers at the 10th percentile earned $75,520. Those at the 90th earned $171,110, more than twice as much. That gap reflects how much experience, specialization, and project scale matter in this field. A mid-career engineer managing a major infrastructure contract earns in a different world than someone fresh out of licensure.
New York's cost-of-living index sits at 116.4 against a national baseline of 100. After adjusting for what the money actually buys, the $102,440 median lands closer to $88,000 in national-baseline dollars. That puts New York civil engineers roughly 9% below the national median in real purchasing terms, despite the nominal premium. Engineers weighing a New York offer against one in a lower-cost state should account for this.
BLS projects employment for Civil Engineers to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, a faster rate than average. With 17,000 Civil Engineers currently employed in New York, the state is one of the larger markets for the occupation in the country. Federal and state infrastructure spending has supported that base, though the mix of public and private work varies considerably by region within the state.
Salary distribution
Where New York civil engineers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $84,740 and $135,920, with a median of $103,760.
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Civil Engineers pay by experience level in New York
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 specialties in New York
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 408 certified offers. The most common variant is Project Engineer at a median of $105,000.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Engineer | FORTE CONSTRUCTION CORP | 107 | $105,000 |
| Civil Engineer | KC Engineering and Land Surveying, P.C. | 102 | $96,138 |
| Project Manager | DACK Consulting Solutions, Inc. | 56 | $106,224 |
| Engineer | Arup US, Inc. | 39 | $96,500 |
| Structural Engineer | Dynasty Contracting, LLC | 37 | $100,006 |
| Geotechnical Engineer | Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, LLC | 24 | $95,847 |
| Field Engineer | Kiewit Power Constructors Co. | 9 | $91,166 |
| Assistant Design Engineer | Joseph C. Lu Engineering, P.C. | 7 | $87,528 |
| Consultant, Enclosures | WSP USA BUILDINGS INC. | 7 | $110,193 |
| Construction Project Manager | 55 Washington Street LLC | 7 | $123,427 |
| Engineering Specialist, Civil Engineering | STV Incorporated | 7 | $78,811 |
| Project Director | Thornton Tomasetti, Inc. | 6 | $103,000 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Civil Engineers in New York, by industry
Median offered wage across 456 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Professional services leads with a median of $100,131.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional services | STV Incorporated | 429 | $100,131 |
| Manufacturing | GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY | 8 | $127,006 |
| Technology and software | Stellar Services, Inc. | 4 | $114,866 |
| Retail and wholesale | Akron Generics LLC | 3 | $80,000 |
| Education | Columbia University | 3 | $75,000 |
| Finance and insurance | CIBC World Markets Corp. | 3 | $250,000 |
| Real estate | 55 Washington Street LLC | 3 | $139,214 |
| Transportation and logistics | DB E.C.O. North America Inc. | 2 | $143,107 |
| Energy and utilities | New York State Electric & Gas Corporation | 1 | $134,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in New York over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 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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Explore coursesTop metros in New York
Metro-level salary data for civil engineers in major New York metropolitan areas.
- New York City$107,330
- Buffalo$97,060
Compare Civil Engineers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare New York with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Civil Engineers in New York?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Civil Engineers in New York is $103,760.
- How does New York compare to the national median for Civil Engineers?
- The New York median is +1.2% versus the BLS national figure of $102,499.
- What is the salary range for Civil Engineers in New York?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $77,290 and the 90th-percentile at $169,050, 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.