Civil Engineer salary in Columbia, MO
Civil Engineers in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $83,950 a year ($40.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,240 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $100,840. Pay here is 9% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $92,750. There are 1.2 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.50). The average (mean) salary is $92,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,350 | $31.90 |
| 25th percentile | $72,440 | $34.83 |
| Median | $83,950 | $40.36 |
| 75th percentile | $102,290 | $49.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,240 | $64.06 |
| Average (mean) | $92,900 | $44.66 |
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 | $6,995.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,497.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,228.85 |
| Weekly | $1,614.42 |
| Hourly | $40.36 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $98,860 | 3,230 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $96,830 | 3,150 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $83,510 | 40 |
| Springfield, MO | $82,800 | 350 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $81,190 | 30 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $79,220 | 170 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $77,980 | 340 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $101,130 | $48.62 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $82,200 | $39.52 |
| Engineers, All Other | $104,760 | $50.36 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $101,800 | $48.94 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $57,410 | $27.60 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $82,430 | $39.63 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $71,560 | $34.41 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $62,450 | $30.03 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $52,800 | $25.38 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
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 Columbia, MO?
The median salary for civil engineers in the Columbia, MO metro area is $83,950 a year, or $40.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of civil engineers in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $133,240 a year. The top 25% earn $102,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,350 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $72,440 or less.
How many civil engineers work in Columbia, MO?
About 130 civil engineers are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.