Civil Engineer salary in Wilmington, NC
Civil Engineers in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median of $94,450 a year ($45.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 460 workers.
Pay ranges from $69,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,470 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $100,840. Pay here is 6% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $100,730. There are 2.4 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $96,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in Wilmington, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,530 | $33.43 |
| 25th percentile | $79,140 | $38.05 |
| Median | $94,450 | $45.41 |
| 75th percentile | $106,910 | $51.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,470 | $64.17 |
| Average (mean) | $96,680 | $46.48 |
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 | $7,870.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,935.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,632.69 |
| Weekly | $1,816.35 |
| Hourly | $45.41 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Civil Engineer pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wilmington, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $99,540 | $47.86 |
| Electrical Engineer | $105,130 | $50.54 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,100 | $48.61 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $129,710 | $62.36 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $92,650 | $44.54 |
| Engineers, All Other | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $50,670 | $24.36 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $66,660 | $32.05 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,740 | $37.86 |
| Surveyor | $72,160 | $34.69 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,590 | $29.61 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $93,720 | $45.06 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $68,790 | $33.07 |
| Landscape Architect | $87,440 | $42.04 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Wilmington, NC
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 Wilmington, NC?
The median salary for civil engineers in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $94,450 a year, or $45.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $69,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in Wilmington, NC?
The top 10% of civil engineers in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn at least $133,470 a year. The top 25% earn $106,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in Wilmington, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $69,530 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $79,140 or less.
How many civil engineers work in Wilmington, NC?
About 460 civil engineers are employed in the Wilmington, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.