Civil Engineer salary in Birmingham, AL
Civil Engineers in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn a median of $97,420 a year ($46.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,070 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,370 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $100,840. Pay here is 2% lower than the Alabama statewide median of $99,010. There are 2.1 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $106,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in Birmingham, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,340 | $32.37 |
| 25th percentile | $78,290 | $37.64 |
| Median | $97,420 | $46.84 |
| 75th percentile | $127,820 | $61.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,370 | $80.95 |
| Average (mean) | $106,280 | $51.10 |
Half of civil engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,118.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,059.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,746.92 |
| Weekly | $1,873.46 |
| Hourly | $46.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Civil Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile, AL | $107,810 | 790 |
| Huntsville, AL | $105,760 | 1,010 |
| Decatur, AL | $103,490 | 180 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $100,300 | 110 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $99,590 | 130 |
| Montgomery, AL | $97,470 | 520 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $97,290 | 40 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $94,790 | 200 |
| Dothan, AL | $92,280 | 80 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $92,230 | 210 |
| Gadsden, AL | $78,830 | 40 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $77,600 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for civil engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $122,500 |
| Alaska | $114,730 |
| Washington | $110,000 |
| Massachusetts | $106,730 |
| Louisiana | $105,380 |
| Oregon | $105,250 |
| New Jersey | $104,660 |
| Nevada | $104,310 |
| New Mexico | $103,900 |
| District of Columbia | $103,880 |
See Civil Engineer pay in every state or the Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Birmingham, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $100,480 | $48.31 |
| Electrical Engineer | $112,960 | $54.31 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $98,810 | $47.51 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $120,050 | $57.72 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $93,400 | $44.91 |
| Environmental Engineer | $94,330 | $45.35 |
| Materials Engineer | $99,780 | $47.97 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $108,690 | $52.25 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $107,660 | $51.76 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $96,730 | $46.51 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $47,520 | $22.85 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $56,720 | $27.27 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $57,510 | $27.65 |
| Surveyor | $74,670 | $35.90 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Birmingham, AL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Birmingham, AL?
The median salary for civil engineers in the Birmingham, AL metro area is $97,420 a year, or $46.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in Birmingham, AL?
The top 10% of civil engineers in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn at least $168,370 a year. The top 25% earn $127,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in Birmingham, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,340 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $78,290 or less.
How many civil engineers work in Birmingham, AL?
About 1,070 civil engineers are employed in the Birmingham, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.