Civil Engineers Salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Civil Engineers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC make a median of $94,060 a year, or about $45.22 an hour. The range runs from $57K at the entry level to $137K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.94), that's roughly $96,038 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,713/month, or 28.8% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $94K get you in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
About civil engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Entry-level civil engineers (10th percentile) start around $57K. Mid-career wages sit at $94K.Top earners bring in $137K or more - a $80K 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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do civil engineers make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median is $94,060 a year - that works out to about $45.22 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $56,740, and experienced civil engineers can clear $136,950. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $94K enough to live in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,805/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,713/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 29.5% 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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk has a Regional Price Parity of 97.94 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median civil engineers salary is worth about $96,038 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.