What the numbers say
Civil Engineers in Rhode Island earned a median annual wage of $112,250 in 2024, about 17% above the US median of $96,198. The mean came in higher at $116,550, which points to a smaller group of senior engineers pulling the average up.
The range across experience levels is wide. At the 10th percentile, engineers earned $76,090. At the 90th, they earned $165,610. Top earners make roughly 2.2 times what those at the bottom of the range do. That spread is typical for an occupation where a licensed principal with 20 years on public infrastructure projects sits in the same category as a recent graduate on their first site assignment.
Rhode Island's overall cost-of-living index sits at 100, essentially at the national baseline. That means the nominal premium here translates almost directly into purchasing power. A Civil Engineer earning the state median buys about the same basket of goods as a peer earning the national median in an average-cost state, and still clears $16,000 more per year before taxes.
BLS projects employment in this occupation to grow 5% between 2024 and 2034, a faster rate than average across all occupations. Rhode Island is a small labor market with around 1,200 Civil Engineers employed statewide, so even modest growth in public works and infrastructure spending tends to show up quickly in local hiring.
Salary distribution
Where Rhode Island civil engineers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $80,870 and $145,700, with a median of $112,250.
Civil Engineers pay by experience level in Rhode Island
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.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Rhode Island 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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Metro-level salary data for civil engineers in major Rhode Island metropolitan areas.
- Providence$108,010
Compare Civil Engineers pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Civil Engineers in Rhode Island?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Civil Engineers in Rhode Island is $112,250.
- How does Rhode Island compare to the national median for Civil Engineers?
- The Rhode Island median is +16.7% versus the BLS national figure of $96,198.
- What is the salary range for Civil Engineers in Rhode Island?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $76,090 and the 90th-percentile at $165,610, 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.