Civil Engineer salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Civil Engineers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $92,550 a year ($44.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,870 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,700 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $100,840. Pay here is about the same as the Michigan statewide median of $92,100. There are 2.0 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $94,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,000 | $30.77 |
| 25th percentile | $76,300 | $36.68 |
| Median | $92,550 | $44.50 |
| 75th percentile | $106,970 | $51.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,700 | $62.35 |
| Average (mean) | $94,640 | $45.50 |
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 | $7,712.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,856.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,559.62 |
| Weekly | $1,779.81 |
| Hourly | $44.50 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson, MI | $107,320 | 80 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $97,570 | 220 |
| Midland, MI | $96,730 | 50 |
| Monroe, MI | $96,610 | 50 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $96,180 | 180 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $96,060 | 240 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $96,040 | 730 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $96,020 | 50 |
| Traverse City, MI | $94,280 | 120 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $93,140 | 70 |
| Niles, MI | $92,620 | 70 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $92,600 | 710 |
| Bay City, MI | $85,690 | 50 |
| Flint, MI | $82,100 | 190 |
| Saginaw, MI | $81,190 | 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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer | $109,470 | $52.63 |
| Industrial Engineer | $104,110 | $50.06 |
| Electrical Engineer | $114,390 | $55.00 |
| Engineers, All Other | $126,250 | $60.70 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $128,650 | $61.85 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $129,990 | $62.50 |
| Materials Engineer | $100,070 | $48.11 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $108,500 | $52.17 |
| Environmental Engineer | $110,520 | $53.13 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $128,960 | $62.00 |
| Chemical Engineer | $104,230 | $50.11 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $103,960 | $49.98 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $78,720 | $37.84 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $135,630 | $65.21 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for civil engineers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $92,550 a year, or $44.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of civil engineers in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $129,700 a year. The top 25% earn $106,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,000 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $76,300 or less.
How many civil engineers work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 3,870 civil engineers are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.