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2026 Salary Data — Cleveland, OH
Updated April 28, 2026

Civil Engineer Salary in Cleveland: $88K Median

Civil Engineers in Cleveland, OH earn between $60K and $133K per year.

That's -8% below the US national median of $95,890 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Civil Engineer salary in Cleveland, OH is $88,219 per year — -8% below the US national median of $95,890. Salaries range from $59,800 (entry, 25th percentile) to $133,041 (90th percentile). Civil Engineers in Cleveland earned approximately $15,477 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$88,219
+470.0% YoY · $7,352/mo
Entry
$59,800
0–2 years
Experienced
$115,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$133,041
Senior/lead
Civil Engineer Salary — Cleveland vs Nearby
Cleveland
$88K
Columbus
$93K
-5% vs Cleveland
Oklahoma City
$84K
+5% vs Cleveland
Louisville
$87K
+1% vs Cleveland

Free ATS scan · Cleveland employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Civil Engineers in Cleveland

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

Cleveland Job Market

Major medical hub anchored by Cleveland Clinic.

Population
372K
Cost of Living
88
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$175K

Top Industries in Cleveland

Healthcare (Cleveland Clinic)FinanceManufacturingTechEducation

Top Employers Hiring Civil Engineers

Major employers active in Cleveland 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 — Cleveland

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$59,800$88,219$133,041
Monthly$4,983$7,352$11,087
Weekly$1,150$1,697$2,558
Hourly$29$42$64

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($95,890) adjusted for Cleveland's cost-of-living multiplier (0.92×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Civil Engineer Take-Home Pay in Cleveland

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$65,949.116
Per month$5,496
Biweekly paycheck$2,537
Effective tax rate25.2%

Tax Breakdown on $88,219

Gross salary$88,219
Federal income tax−$11,110.18
Ohio state tax−$2,205.475
Cleveland local tax−$2,205.475
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$6,748.754
Take-home (net)$65,949.116

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 — Cleveland

Career-stage progression for Civil Engineers in Cleveland.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$55,016
2–3 yr$59,800
4–6 yr$87,400
7–10 yr$115,000
11–15 yr$135,700
15+ yr$124,021

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Cleveland's 0.92× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$15,477
2026 median:$88,219
Change:+$72,742

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

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$100,249
Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.

How to Negotiate Your Civil Engineer Salary in Cleveland

Walk-away anchor: $78,767 (offers below this are below market for Cleveland).

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 $115K–$133K for experienced roles, citing Cleveland market data and your specific BIM (Revit)/Sustainability/LEED expertise.

Civil Engineer Salary FAQ — Cleveland

What is the average Civil Engineer salary in Cleveland, OH?
The average Civil Engineer salary in Cleveland is $88,219 per year as of April 2026 — $7,352/month, $1,697/week, or about $42/hour. Salaries range from $59,800 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $133,041 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Cleveland's cost-of-living multiplier (0.92×).
Is $88,219 a good Civil Engineer salary in Cleveland?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Cleveland's cost-of-living index is 88 (vs 100 nationally), giving $88,219 a real purchasing power of approximately $100,249 in national terms. Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.
Can you live on $88,219 in Cleveland?
Median local pay typically supports a single-earner family of four with a starter home, modest college savings, and standard healthcare costs covered. Stay under 25% of pre-tax income on rent. In this market, that is realistic on most professional salaries and leaves room for retirement contributions. For Cleveland specifically (median home price $175,000), a $88,219 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $88,219 enough for a single person in Cleveland?
A single adult in Cleveland typically needs ~$39,600 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $88,219 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $88,219 enough for a couple in Cleveland?
A couple (one earner) in Cleveland typically needs ~$63,360 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $88,219 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $88,219 each ($176,438 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $88,219 enough for a family of 4 in Cleveland?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Cleveland typically needs ~$96,800 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $88,219 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 Cleveland. Childcare costs in Cleveland typically run $13K-$25K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Civil Engineer in Cleveland?
On a $88,219 Civil Engineer salary in Cleveland, OH, you take home approximately $65,949.116 per year ($5,496/month, $2,537 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $11,110.18, state $2,205.475, local $2,205.475, FICA $6,748.754. Effective tax rate: 25.2%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Civil Engineers in Cleveland earn compared to the US average?
Civil Engineers in Cleveland earn approximately 8% less than the US national median for this role ($95,890 nationally vs $88,219 in Cleveland). However, Cleveland's cost-of-living index of 88 means real purchasing power is approximately $100,249 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Civil Engineer earn in Cleveland?
Entry-level Civil Engineers in Cleveland typically start at around $59,800 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Civil Engineers earn $115,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $133,041+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Civil Engineer salaries in Cleveland increase in 2026?
Yes — Civil Engineer salaries in Cleveland grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $15,477 in 2025 to $88,219 in 2026 (+$72,742). 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 Cleveland?
Civil engineering growing 6% with $1.2T US infrastructure investment driving demand through 2034. Cleveland's top industries include Healthcare (Cleveland Clinic), Finance, Manufacturing, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.5% — 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 Cleveland.
Who are the top employers hiring Civil Engineers in Cleveland?
Top employers hiring Civil Engineers in or near Cleveland 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 Cleveland?
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 Cleveland?
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 Cleveland?
Bachelor's degree (ABET); PE for senior roles is the typical path. However, Cleveland'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 Cleveland are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($95,890) by Cleveland's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.92× — 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 Cleveland

Mechanical Engineer →Electrical Engineer →

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Cities

San Antonio, TX$89KJacksonville, FL$88KColumbus, OH$93KIndianapolis, IN$89KDetroit, MI$89KMemphis, TN$84KOklahoma City, OK$84KLas Vegas, NV$91K

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