Civil Engineer salary in Richmond, VA
Civil Engineers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $91,300 a year ($43.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,680 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,860 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $100,840. Pay here is 6% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $97,120. There are 2.5 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $99,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,060 | $35.13 |
| 25th percentile | $79,170 | $38.06 |
| Median | $91,300 | $43.90 |
| 75th percentile | $115,460 | $55.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,860 | $65.80 |
| Average (mean) | $99,540 | $47.86 |
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 | $7,608.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,804.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,511.54 |
| Weekly | $1,755.77 |
| Hourly | $43.90 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $101,780 | 8,470 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $100,920 | 150 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $97,530 | 90 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $96,100 | 170 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $94,680 | 1,990 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $94,200 | n/a |
| Roanoke, VA | $90,720 | 250 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $89,250 | n/a |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $87,510 | 200 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $78,770 | 70 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer | $116,760 | $56.14 |
| Industrial Engineer | $103,180 | $49.60 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,130 | $50.06 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $140,460 | $67.53 |
| Engineers, All Other | $107,990 | $51.92 |
| Materials Engineer | $102,440 | $49.25 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $102,750 | $49.40 |
| Environmental Engineer | $100,760 | $48.44 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $120,370 | $57.87 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $132,270 | $63.59 |
| Chemical Engineer | $117,150 | $56.32 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $105,530 | $50.74 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $105,680 | $50.81 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $85,510 | $41.11 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for civil engineers in the Richmond, VA metro area is $91,300 a year, or $43.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of civil engineers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $136,860 a year. The top 25% earn $115,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,060 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $79,170 or less.
How many civil engineers work in Richmond, VA?
About 1,680 civil engineers are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.