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2026 Salary Data — Austin, TX
Updated April 28, 2026

Civil Engineer Salary in Austin: $110K Median

Civil Engineers in Austin, TX earn between $75K and $166K per year.

That's +15% above the US national median of $95,890 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Civil Engineer salary in Austin, TX is $110,273 per year — +15% above the US national median of $95,890. Salaries range from $74,750 (entry, 25th percentile) to $166,302 (90th percentile). Civil Engineers in Austin earned approximately $19,346 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$110,273
+470.0% YoY · $9,189/mo
Entry
$74,750
0–2 years
Experienced
$143,750
5+ years
Top 10%
$166,302
Senior/lead
Civil Engineer Salary — Austin vs Nearby
Austin
$110K
Houston
$101K
+10% vs Austin
San Antonio
$89K
+24% vs Austin
Dallas
$101K
+10% vs Austin

Free ATS scan · Austin employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Civil Engineers in Austin

Civil engineers design, build, and maintain infrastructure projects: roads, bridges, buildings, water systems, and more.

Core Responsibilities

  • Design infrastructure
  • Project management
  • Site inspection
  • Construction documents
  • Code compliance

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree (ABET); PE for senior roles

In-demand certifications

PE (Professional Engineer)LEEDPMPOSHA 30

Austin Job Market

Texas tech capital with major Tesla, Apple, Oracle, and startup presence.

Population
974K
Cost of Living
119
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.7%
Median Home
$510K

Top Industries in Austin

TechGovernmentEducationHealthcareMusic/Entertainment

Top Employers Hiring Civil Engineers

Major employers active in Austin or hiring remotely from this metro.

AECOM
Bechtel
Jacobs
Kiewit
Skanska
state DOTs
municipal governments

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Civil Engineer listings.

BIM (Revit)Sustainability/LEEDClimate-resilient designSmart citiesDrone surveying

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

AutoCADCivil 3Dproject managementstructural analysisPE licenseLEEDRevitsite planning
Career Outlook
+6% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Civil engineering growing 6% with $1.2T US infrastructure investment driving demand through 2034.

Civil Engineer Salary Breakdown — Austin

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$74,750$110,273$166,302
Monthly$6,229$9,189$13,859
Weekly$1,438$2,121$3,198
Hourly$36$53$80

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($95,890) adjusted for Austin's cost-of-living multiplier (1.15×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Civil Engineer Take-Home Pay in Austin

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$85,875.056
Per month$7,156
Biweekly paycheck$3,303
Effective tax rate22.1%

Tax Breakdown on $110,273

Gross salary$110,273
Federal income tax−$15,962.06
Texas state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$8,435.885
Take-home (net)$85,875.056

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Civil Engineer Salary by Experience — Austin

Career-stage progression for Civil Engineers in Austin.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$68,770
2–3 yr$74,750
4–6 yr$109,250
7–10 yr$143,750
11–15 yr$169,625
15+ yr$155,026

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Austin's 1.15× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$19,346
2026 median:$110,273
Change:+$90,927

Engineering sector growth driven by demand for BIM (Revit) and Sustainability/LEED.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$92,666
Tight on the median. Housing eats a disproportionate share of take-home pay and savings rates suffer without a partner income or higher-percentile salary.

How to Negotiate Your Civil Engineer Salary in Austin

Walk-away anchor: $98,458 (offers below this are below market for Austin).

Leverage Points

  • PE license carries a clear pay premium (often 10-15%) - cite it explicitly
  • Project-specific experience: EV powertrain, semiconductor fab, infrastructure megaprojects
  • Per-diem, travel pay, and relocation are negotiable separately from base
  • Software-adjacent skills (Python, MATLAB, simulation, MLOps) raise the ceiling

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

PE license exam fees, study materials, review coursesRelocation package and temporary housingProject-completion or milestone bonusesPer-diem for site travel and field workTuition reimbursement for MS/PhD

What To Say

"With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus."

Anchor on $144K–$166K for experienced roles, citing Austin market data and your specific BIM (Revit)/Sustainability/LEED expertise.

Civil Engineer Salary FAQ — Austin

What is the average Civil Engineer salary in Austin, TX?
The average Civil Engineer salary in Austin is $110,273 per year as of April 2026 — $9,189/month, $2,121/week, or about $53/hour. Salaries range from $74,750 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $166,302 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Austin's cost-of-living multiplier (1.15×).
Is $110,273 a good Civil Engineer salary in Austin?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Austin's cost-of-living index is 119 (vs 100 nationally), giving $110,273 a real purchasing power of approximately $92,666 in national terms. Tight on the median. Housing eats a disproportionate share of take-home pay and savings rates suffer without a partner income or higher-percentile salary.
Can you live on $110,273 in Austin?
Dual-income households are functionally required to raise a family at this cost level. Single earners on the median typically rent rather than buy and delay starting a family. Many residents spend 35-40% of pre-tax income on rent here, but the textbook target is still 30%. Going above 35% will materially crimp retirement and emergency savings. For Austin specifically (median home price $510,000), a $110,273 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $110,273 enough for a single person in Austin?
A single adult in Austin typically needs ~$53,550 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $110,273 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $110,273 enough for a couple in Austin?
A couple (one earner) in Austin typically needs ~$85,680 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $110,273 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $110,273 each ($220,546 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $110,273 enough for a family of 4 in Austin?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Austin typically needs ~$130,900 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $110,273 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Austin. Childcare costs in Austin typically run $18K-$33K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Civil Engineer in Austin?
On a $110,273 Civil Engineer salary in Austin, TX, you take home approximately $85,875.056 per year ($7,156/month, $3,303 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $15,962.06, state $0, FICA $8,435.885. Effective tax rate: 22.1%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Civil Engineers in Austin earn compared to the US average?
Civil Engineers in Austin earn approximately 15% more than the US national median for this role ($95,890 nationally vs $110,273 in Austin). However, Austin's cost-of-living index of 119 means real purchasing power is approximately $92,666 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Civil Engineer earn in Austin?
Entry-level Civil Engineers in Austin typically start at around $74,750 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Civil Engineers earn $143,750 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $166,302+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Civil Engineer salaries in Austin increase in 2026?
Yes — Civil Engineer salaries in Austin grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $19,346 in 2025 to $110,273 in 2026 (+$90,927). This reflects the broader Engineering sector's compensation trend, driven by BIM (Revit) and Sustainability/LEED demand.
What's the job outlook for Civil Engineers in Austin?
Civil engineering growing 6% with $1.2T US infrastructure investment driving demand through 2034. Austin's top industries include Tech, Government, Education, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.7% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
What skills are most in demand for Civil Engineers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Civil Engineers are: BIM (Revit), Sustainability/LEED, Climate-resilient design, Smart cities, Drone surveying. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Austin.
Who are the top employers hiring Civil Engineers in Austin?
Top employers hiring Civil Engineers in or near Austin include: AECOM, Bechtel, Jacobs, Kiewit, Skanska, state DOTs. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Civil Engineer salary in Austin?
With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus. Key leverage points for Engineering negotiations: PE license carries a clear pay premium (often 10-15%) - cite it explicitly; Project-specific experience: EV powertrain, semiconductor fab, infrastructure megaprojects; Per-diem, travel pay, and relocation are negotiable separately from base. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: PE license exam fees, study materials, review courses, Relocation package and temporary housing, Project-completion or milestone bonuses, Per-diem for site travel and field work.
How can I increase my Civil Engineer salary in Austin?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (BIM (Revit), Sustainability/LEED, Climate-resilient design) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., PE (Professional Engineer) or LEED). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Civil Engineer in Austin?
Bachelor's degree (ABET); PE for senior roles is the typical path. However, Austin's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Engineering roles.

Methodology & Sources

Civil Engineer salary figures for Austin are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($95,890) by Austin's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.15× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (470.0%) reflects the Engineering sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Austin

Mechanical Engineer →Electrical Engineer →

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Houston, TX$101KSan Antonio, TX$89KSan Diego, CA$113KDallas, TX$101KFort Worth, TX$98KDenver, CO$105KEl Paso, TX$82KPortland, OR$105K

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