Civil Engineer salary in Salem, OR
Civil Engineers in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median of $115,480 a year ($55.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 480 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $147,600 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $100,840. Pay here is 10% higher than the Oregon statewide median of $105,250. There are 2.5 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $116,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in Salem, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,220 | $37.60 |
| 25th percentile | $95,030 | $45.69 |
| Median | $115,480 | $55.52 |
| 75th percentile | $140,950 | $67.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $147,600 | $70.96 |
| Average (mean) | $116,280 | $55.91 |
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 | $9,623.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,811.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,441.54 |
| Weekly | $2,220.77 |
| Hourly | $55.52 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $106,280 | 4,180 |
| Corvallis, OR | $104,150 | 130 |
| Bend, OR | $101,150 | 240 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $98,940 | 230 |
| Medford, OR | $94,560 | 90 |
| Albany, OR | $93,280 | 50 |
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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer | $98,010 | $47.12 |
| Electrical Engineer | $125,270 | $60.23 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $114,550 | $55.07 |
| Industrial Engineer | $100,860 | $48.49 |
| Engineers, All Other | $104,420 | $50.20 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $86,200 | $41.44 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $70,870 | $34.07 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $61,090 | $29.37 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $82,030 | $39.44 |
| Cartographers and Photogrammetrists | $101,350 | $48.73 |
| Surveyor | $102,880 | $49.46 |
| Drafters, All Other | $58,800 | $28.27 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $74,780 | $35.95 |
| Landscape Architect | $63,180 | $30.38 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Salem, OR
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 Salem, OR?
The median salary for civil engineers in the Salem, OR metro area is $115,480 a year, or $55.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $147,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in Salem, OR?
The top 10% of civil engineers in the Salem, OR metro area earn at least $147,600 a year. The top 25% earn $140,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in Salem, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,220 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $95,030 or less.
How many civil engineers work in Salem, OR?
About 480 civil engineers are employed in the Salem, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.