Civil Engineers Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Civil Engineers in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD make a median of $96,630 a year, or about $46.46 an hour. The range runs from $72K at the entry level to $148K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.55), that's roughly $94,227 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,810/month, or 29.1% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $97K get you in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington?
About civil engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Entry-level civil engineers (10th percentile) start around $72K. Mid-career wages sit at $97K.Top earners bring in $148K or more - a $76K spread from bottom to top.
Civil Engineers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $118K | +19% | 54,640 |
| Rhode Island | $112K | +13% | 1,200 |
| Alaska | $107K | +8% | 1,540 |
| Washington | $105K | +6% | 11,900 |
| New Mexico | $105K | +5% | 1,400 |
| Massachusetts | $104K | +5% | 9,460 |
| Mississippi | $104K | +4% | 2,050 |
| New Jersey | $104K | +4% | 6,780 |
| Oregon | $103K | +3% | 4,140 |
| New York | $102K | +3% | 17,000 |
| Louisiana | $102K | +3% | 3,170 |
| District of Columbia | $102K | +3% | 1,840 |
| Connecticut | $102K | +2% | 4,130 |
| Minnesota | $101K | +2% | 4,350 |
| Maryland | $100K | +1% | 5,120 |
Track civil engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do civil engineers make in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
The median is $96,630 a year - that works out to about $46.46 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $72,240, and experienced civil engineers can clear $147,930. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $97K enough to live in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,117/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,810/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 29.6% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a civil engineers salary go in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington?
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.55 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median civil engineers salary is worth about $94,227 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do civil engineers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.