Civil Engineer salary in Charlottesville, VA
Civil Engineers in the Charlottesville, VA metro area earn a median of $89,250 a year ($42.91 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $66,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,010 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $100,840. Pay here is 8% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $97,120. The average (mean) salary is $100,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in Charlottesville, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,610 | $32.02 |
| 25th percentile | $80,300 | $38.61 |
| Median | $89,250 | $42.91 |
| 75th percentile | $122,330 | $58.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $151,010 | $72.60 |
| Average (mean) | $100,720 | $48.42 |
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 | $7,437.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,718.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,432.69 |
| Weekly | $1,716.35 |
| Hourly | $42.91 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $101,780 | 8,470 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $100,920 | 150 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $97,530 | 90 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $96,100 | 170 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $94,680 | 1,990 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $94,200 | n/a |
| Richmond, VA | $91,300 | 1,680 |
| Roanoke, VA | $90,720 | 250 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $87,510 | 200 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $78,770 | 70 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charlottesville, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer | $106,130 | $51.02 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,560 | $47.86 |
| Electrical Engineer | $122,600 | $58.94 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $106,980 | $51.44 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $87,080 | $41.87 |
| Engineers, All Other | $153,340 | $73.72 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $113,510 | $54.57 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $122,690 | $58.99 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $84,650 | $40.70 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $74,100 | $35.63 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $56,140 | $26.99 |
| Surveyor | $65,820 | $31.65 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $51,690 | $24.85 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Charlottesville, VA
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 Charlottesville, VA?
The median salary for civil engineers in the Charlottesville, VA metro area is $89,250 a year, or $42.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in Charlottesville, VA?
The top 10% of civil engineers in the Charlottesville, VA metro area earn at least $151,010 a year. The top 25% earn $122,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in Charlottesville, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,610 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $80,300 or less.