90% OFF - $9.99
11:59:59
Claim Lifetime Deal
2026 Salary Data — Memphis, TN
Updated April 28, 2026

Civil Engineer Salary in Memphis: $84K Median

Civil Engineers in Memphis, TN earn between $57K and $127K per year.

That's -12% below the US national median of $95,890 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Civil Engineer salary in Memphis, TN is $84,383 per year — -12% below the US national median of $95,890. Salaries range from $57,200 (entry, 25th percentile) to $127,257 (90th percentile). Civil Engineers in Memphis earned approximately $14,804 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$84,383
+470.0% YoY · $7,032/mo
Entry
$57,200
0–2 years
Experienced
$110,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$127,257
Senior/lead
Civil Engineer Salary — Memphis vs Nearby
Memphis
$84K
Nashville
$96K
-12% vs Memphis
El Paso
$82K
+4% vs Memphis
Tulsa
$84K
+0% vs Memphis

Free ATS scan · Memphis employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Civil Engineers in Memphis

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

Memphis Job Market

Logistics capital home to FedEx headquarters with major healthcare presence.

Population
633K
Cost of Living
85
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$175K

Top Industries in Memphis

Logistics (FedEx)HealthcareManufacturingMusic/Tourism

Top Employers Hiring Civil Engineers

Major employers active in Memphis 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 — Memphis

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$57,200$84,383$127,257
Monthly$4,767$7,032$10,605
Weekly$1,100$1,623$2,447
Hourly$28$41$61

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($95,890) adjusted for Memphis's cost-of-living multiplier (0.88×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Civil Engineer Take-Home Pay in Memphis

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$67,661.441
Per month$5,638
Biweekly paycheck$2,602
Effective tax rate19.8%

Tax Breakdown on $84,383

Gross salary$84,383
Federal income tax−$10,266.26
Tennessee state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$6,455.3
Take-home (net)$67,661.441

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 — Memphis

Career-stage progression for Civil Engineers in Memphis.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$52,624
2–3 yr$57,200
4–6 yr$83,600
7–10 yr$110,000
11–15 yr$129,800
15+ yr$118,629

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Memphis's 0.88× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$14,804
2026 median:$84,383
Change:+$69,579

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
$99,274
Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.

How to Negotiate Your Civil Engineer Salary in Memphis

Walk-away anchor: $75,342 (offers below this are below market for Memphis).

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 $110K–$127K for experienced roles, citing Memphis market data and your specific BIM (Revit)/Sustainability/LEED expertise.

Civil Engineer Salary FAQ — Memphis

What is the average Civil Engineer salary in Memphis, TN?
The average Civil Engineer salary in Memphis is $84,383 per year as of April 2026 — $7,032/month, $1,623/week, or about $41/hour. Salaries range from $57,200 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $127,257 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Memphis's cost-of-living multiplier (0.88×).
Is $84,383 a good Civil Engineer salary in Memphis?
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. Memphis's cost-of-living index is 85 (vs 100 nationally), giving $84,383 a real purchasing power of approximately $99,274 in national terms. Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.
Can you live on $84,383 in Memphis?
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 Memphis specifically (median home price $175,000), a $84,383 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $84,383 enough for a single person in Memphis?
A single adult in Memphis typically needs ~$38,250 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $84,383 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $84,383 enough for a couple in Memphis?
A couple (one earner) in Memphis typically needs ~$61,200 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $84,383 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $84,383 each ($168,766 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $84,383 enough for a family of 4 in Memphis?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Memphis typically needs ~$93,500 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $84,383 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 Memphis. Childcare costs in Memphis typically run $13K-$24K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Civil Engineer in Memphis?
On a $84,383 Civil Engineer salary in Memphis, TN, you take home approximately $67,661.441 per year ($5,638/month, $2,602 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $10,266.26, state $0, FICA $6,455.3. Effective tax rate: 19.8%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Civil Engineers in Memphis earn compared to the US average?
Civil Engineers in Memphis earn approximately 12% less than the US national median for this role ($95,890 nationally vs $84,383 in Memphis). However, Memphis's cost-of-living index of 85 means real purchasing power is approximately $99,274 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Civil Engineer earn in Memphis?
Entry-level Civil Engineers in Memphis typically start at around $57,200 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Civil Engineers earn $110,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $127,257+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Civil Engineer salaries in Memphis increase in 2026?
Yes — Civil Engineer salaries in Memphis grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $14,804 in 2025 to $84,383 in 2026 (+$69,579). 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 Memphis?
Civil engineering growing 6% with $1.2T US infrastructure investment driving demand through 2034. Memphis's top industries include Logistics (FedEx), Healthcare, 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 Memphis.
Who are the top employers hiring Civil Engineers in Memphis?
Top employers hiring Civil Engineers in or near Memphis 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 Memphis?
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 Memphis?
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 Memphis?
Bachelor's degree (ABET); PE for senior roles is the typical path. However, Memphis'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 Memphis are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($95,890) by Memphis's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.88× — 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 Memphis

Mechanical Engineer →Electrical Engineer →

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Jacksonville, FL$88KEl Paso, TX$82KNashville, TN$96KOklahoma City, OK$84KLouisville, KY$87KAlbuquerque, NM$86KTucson, AZ$86KTulsa, OK$84K

Land a $84K+ Civil Engineer Role in Memphis

Knowing the salary is step one. Step two: getting past the ATS. CVCraft scans your resume, finds missing keywords, and fixes formatting issues in 60 seconds.

Scan My Resume Free

No signup required · Works for all Engineering roles