Civil Engineer salary in Kentucky
Civil Engineers in Kentucky earn a median of $100,930 a year ($48.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,690 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $143,680 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $100,840. Kentucky ranks 17th of 51 states for civil engineers pay. There are 1.3 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.57). The average (mean) salary is $105,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,660 | $31.57 |
| 25th percentile | $78,960 | $37.96 |
| Median | $100,930 | $48.53 |
| 75th percentile | $122,930 | $59.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $143,680 | $69.08 |
| Average (mean) | $105,310 | $50.63 |
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 | $8,410.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,205.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,881.92 |
| Weekly | $1,940.96 |
| Hourly | $48.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Civil Engineer salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $103,090 | 600 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $102,650 | 940 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $100,950 | 80 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $98,220 | 2,110 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $96,930 | 140 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $96,260 | 80 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $94,520 | 290 |
| Owensboro, KY | $91,430 | 40 |
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 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $96,820 | $46.55 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,050 | $48.58 |
| Electrical Engineer | $98,550 | $47.38 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $101,860 | $48.97 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $116,200 | $55.86 |
| Engineers, All Other | $99,830 | $48.00 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,520 | $51.69 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $107,760 | $51.81 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $126,130 | $60.64 |
| Materials Engineer | $100,620 | $48.38 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $103,300 | $49.67 |
| Chemical Engineer | $117,170 | $56.33 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $95,360 | $45.85 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,710 | $28.71 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for civil engineers in Kentucky is $100,930 a year, or $48.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $143,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of civil engineers in Kentucky earn at least $143,680 a year. The top 25% earn $122,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,660 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $78,960 or less.
How many civil engineers work in Kentucky?
About 2,690 civil engineers are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.