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2026 Salary Data — Baltimore, MD
Updated April 28, 2026

Civil Engineer Salary in Baltimore: $105K Median

Civil Engineers in Baltimore, MD earn between $72K and $159K per year.

That's +10% above the US national median of $95,890 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Civil Engineer salary in Baltimore, MD is $105,479 per year — +10% above the US national median of $95,890. Salaries range from $71,500 (entry, 25th percentile) to $159,071 (90th percentile). Civil Engineers in Baltimore earned approximately $18,505 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$105,479
+470.0% YoY · $8,790/mo
Entry
$71,500
0–2 years
Experienced
$137,500
5+ years
Top 10%
$159,071
Senior/lead
Civil Engineer Salary — Baltimore vs Nearby
Baltimore
$105K
Austin
$110K
-4% vs Baltimore
Denver
$105K
+0% vs Baltimore
Miami
$101K
+5% vs Baltimore

Free ATS scan · Baltimore employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Civil Engineers in Baltimore

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

Baltimore Job Market

Major medical and government hub anchored by Johns Hopkins.

Population
585K
Cost of Living
117
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4%
Median Home
$350K

Top Industries in Baltimore

Healthcare (Johns Hopkins)GovernmentDefenseFinanceEducation

Top Employers Hiring Civil Engineers

Major employers active in Baltimore 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 — Baltimore

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$71,500$105,479$159,071
Monthly$5,958$8,790$13,256
Weekly$1,375$2,028$3,059
Hourly$34$51$76

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($95,890) adjusted for Baltimore's cost-of-living multiplier (1.10×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Civil Engineer Take-Home Pay in Baltimore

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$74,064.157
Per month$6,172
Biweekly paycheck$2,849
Effective tax rate29.8%

Tax Breakdown on $105,479

Gross salary$105,479
Federal income tax−$14,907.38
Maryland state tax−$5,062.992
Baltimore local tax−$3,375.328
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$8,069.144
Take-home (net)$74,064.157

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 — Baltimore

Career-stage progression for Civil Engineers in Baltimore.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$65,780
2–3 yr$71,500
4–6 yr$104,500
7–10 yr$137,500
11–15 yr$162,250
15+ yr$148,286

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Baltimore's 1.10× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$18,505
2026 median:$105,479
Change:+$86,974

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
$90,153
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 Baltimore

Walk-away anchor: $94,178 (offers below this are below market for Baltimore).

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 $138K–$159K for experienced roles, citing Baltimore market data and your specific BIM (Revit)/Sustainability/LEED expertise.

Civil Engineer Salary FAQ — Baltimore

What is the average Civil Engineer salary in Baltimore, MD?
The average Civil Engineer salary in Baltimore is $105,479 per year as of April 2026 — $8,790/month, $2,028/week, or about $51/hour. Salaries range from $71,500 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $159,071 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Baltimore's cost-of-living multiplier (1.10×).
Is $105,479 a good Civil Engineer salary in Baltimore?
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. Baltimore's cost-of-living index is 117 (vs 100 nationally), giving $105,479 a real purchasing power of approximately $90,153 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 $105,479 in Baltimore?
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 Baltimore specifically (median home price $350,000), a $105,479 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $105,479 enough for a single person in Baltimore?
A single adult in Baltimore typically needs ~$52,650 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $105,479 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $105,479 enough for a couple in Baltimore?
A couple (one earner) in Baltimore typically needs ~$84,240 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $105,479 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $105,479 each ($210,958 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $105,479 enough for a family of 4 in Baltimore?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Baltimore typically needs ~$128,700 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $105,479 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 Baltimore. Childcare costs in Baltimore typically run $18K-$33K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Civil Engineer in Baltimore?
On a $105,479 Civil Engineer salary in Baltimore, MD, you take home approximately $74,064.157 per year ($6,172/month, $2,849 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $14,907.38, state $5,062.992, local $3,375.328, FICA $8,069.144. Effective tax rate: 29.8%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Civil Engineers in Baltimore earn compared to the US average?
Civil Engineers in Baltimore earn approximately 10% more than the US national median for this role ($95,890 nationally vs $105,479 in Baltimore). However, Baltimore's cost-of-living index of 117 means real purchasing power is approximately $90,153 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Civil Engineer earn in Baltimore?
Entry-level Civil Engineers in Baltimore typically start at around $71,500 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Civil Engineers earn $137,500 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $159,071+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Civil Engineer salaries in Baltimore increase in 2026?
Yes — Civil Engineer salaries in Baltimore grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $18,505 in 2025 to $105,479 in 2026 (+$86,974). 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 Baltimore?
Civil engineering growing 6% with $1.2T US infrastructure investment driving demand through 2034. Baltimore's top industries include Healthcare (Johns Hopkins), Government, Defense, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4% — steady demand for skilled workers.
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 Baltimore.
Who are the top employers hiring Civil Engineers in Baltimore?
Top employers hiring Civil Engineers in or near Baltimore 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 Baltimore?
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 Baltimore?
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 Baltimore?
Bachelor's degree (ABET); PE for senior roles is the typical path. However, Baltimore'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 Baltimore are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($95,890) by Baltimore's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.10× — 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 Baltimore

Mechanical Engineer →Electrical Engineer →

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Austin, TX$110KDenver, CO$105KPortland, OR$105KSacramento, CA$104KMinneapolis, MN$105K

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