Civil Engineer salary in Rhode Island
Civil Engineers in Rhode Island earn a median of $99,300 a year ($47.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,270 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,020 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $100,840. Rhode Island ranks 23rd of 51 states for civil engineers pay. There are 2.5 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $110,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,800 | $37.40 |
| 25th percentile | $79,040 | $38.00 |
| Median | $99,300 | $47.74 |
| 75th percentile | $150,160 | $72.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $151,020 | $72.61 |
| Average (mean) | $110,560 | $53.16 |
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 | $8,275 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,137.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,819.23 |
| Weekly | $1,909.62 |
| Hourly | $47.74 |
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 Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $99,310 | 1,550 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer | $116,230 | $55.88 |
| Industrial Engineer | $109,350 | $52.57 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $136,360 | $65.56 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $119,510 | $57.46 |
| Engineers, All Other | $117,080 | $56.29 |
| Environmental Engineer | $101,140 | $48.63 |
| Chemical Engineer | $111,590 | $53.65 |
| Materials Engineer | $87,180 | $41.91 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $94,620 | $45.49 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $105,160 | $50.56 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $94,570 | $45.46 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $98,600 | $47.40 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $71,700 | $34.47 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,420 | $28.57 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for civil engineers in Rhode Island is $99,300 a year, or $47.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of civil engineers in Rhode Island earn at least $151,020 a year. The top 25% earn $150,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,800 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $79,040 or less.
How many civil engineers work in Rhode Island?
About 1,270 civil engineers are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.