Civil Engineer salary in State College, PA
Civil Engineers in the State College, PA metro area earn a median of $96,110 a year ($46.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,270 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $100,840. Pay here is 2% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $97,850. There are 2.4 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $97,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in State College, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,020 | $30.78 |
| 25th percentile | $75,590 | $36.34 |
| Median | $96,110 | $46.21 |
| 75th percentile | $117,870 | $56.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,270 | $64.07 |
| Average (mean) | $97,430 | $46.84 |
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 | $8,009.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,004.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,696.54 |
| Weekly | $1,848.27 |
| Hourly | $46.21 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh, PA | $100,680 | 4,210 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $99,410 | 6,160 |
| Reading, PA | $98,890 | 320 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $98,760 | 600 |
| Lancaster, PA | $97,780 | 540 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $95,730 | 450 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $95,040 | 400 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $93,830 | 1,370 |
| Altoona, PA | $93,680 | 220 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $92,580 | 60 |
| Williamsport, PA | $91,770 | 140 |
| Lebanon, PA | $80,550 | 40 |
| Erie, PA | $79,370 | 130 |
| Johnstown, PA | $77,550 | 190 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in State College, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer | $90,530 | $43.53 |
| Industrial Engineer | $88,690 | $42.64 |
| Electrical Engineer | $97,450 | $46.85 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $63,850 | $30.70 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $56,320 | $27.08 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,430 | $28.57 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $93,820 | $45.10 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in State College, PA
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 State College, PA?
The median salary for civil engineers in the State College, PA metro area is $96,110 a year, or $46.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in State College, PA?
The top 10% of civil engineers in the State College, PA metro area earn at least $133,270 a year. The top 25% earn $117,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in State College, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,020 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $75,590 or less.
How many civil engineers work in State College, PA?
About 160 civil engineers are employed in the State College, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.