Civil Engineer salary in North Carolina
Civil Engineers in North Carolina earn a median of $100,730 a year ($48.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,810 workers.
Pay ranges from $70,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,520 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $100,840. North Carolina ranks 18th of 51 states for civil engineers pay. There are 2.6 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $104,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,760 | $34.02 |
| 25th percentile | $79,140 | $38.05 |
| Median | $100,730 | $48.43 |
| 75th percentile | $125,730 | $60.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $160,520 | $77.17 |
| Average (mean) | $104,760 | $50.37 |
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 | $8,394.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,197.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,874.23 |
| Weekly | $1,937.12 |
| Hourly | $48.43 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $102,370 | 3,730 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $101,440 | 4,640 |
| Burlington, NC | $100,220 | 40 |
| Asheville, NC | $100,170 | 400 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $96,080 | 210 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $95,800 | 60 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $94,720 | 130 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $94,680 | 1,990 |
| Wilmington, NC | $94,450 | 460 |
| Greenville, NC | $94,410 | 150 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $93,940 | 740 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $93,460 | 620 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $90,070 | 80 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $85,490 | 50 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $84,170 | 350 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $75,620 | 80 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $99,310 | $47.74 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,720 | $48.42 |
| Electrical Engineer | $110,130 | $52.95 |
| Engineers, All Other | $112,450 | $54.06 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $115,920 | $55.73 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $134,670 | $64.74 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $94,790 | $45.57 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $122,930 | $59.10 |
| Materials Engineer | $104,240 | $50.11 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $106,800 | $51.34 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $131,850 | $63.39 |
| Chemical Engineer | $117,410 | $56.45 |
| Environmental Engineer | $99,440 | $47.81 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $70,310 | $33.80 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for civil engineers in North Carolina is $100,730 a year, or $48.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $70,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of civil engineers in North Carolina earn at least $160,520 a year. The top 25% earn $125,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,760 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $79,140 or less.
How many civil engineers work in North Carolina?
About 12,810 civil engineers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.