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2026 Salary Data — New York, NY
Updated April 28, 2026

Civil Engineer Salary in New York: $129K Median

Civil Engineers in New York, NY earn between $88K and $195K per year.

That's +35% above the US national median of $95,890 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Civil Engineer salary in New York, NY is $129,452 per year — +35% above the US national median of $95,890. Salaries range from $87,750 (entry, 25th percentile) to $195,224 (90th percentile). Civil Engineers in New York earned approximately $22,711 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$129,452
+470.0% YoY · $10,788/mo
Entry
$87,750
0–2 years
Experienced
$168,750
5+ years
Top 10%
$195,224
Senior/lead
Civil Engineer Salary — New York vs Nearby
New York
$129K
Oakland
$134K
-4% vs New York
Los Angeles
$123K
+5% vs New York
Seattle
$127K
+2% vs New York

Free ATS scan · New York employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Civil Engineers in New York

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

New York Job Market

Largest US metro and global financial capital with massive job market across all sectors.

Population
8336K
Cost of Living
187
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.2%
Median Home
$850K

Top Industries in New York

FinanceMediaTechReal EstateHealthcare

Top Employers Hiring Civil Engineers

Major employers active in New York 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 — New York

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$87,750$129,452$195,224
Monthly$7,313$10,788$16,269
Weekly$1,688$2,489$3,754
Hourly$42$62$94

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($95,890) adjusted for New York's cost-of-living multiplier (1.35×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Civil Engineer Take-Home Pay in New York

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$86,741.118
Per month$7,228
Biweekly paycheck$3,336
Effective tax rate33.0%

Tax Breakdown on $129,452

Gross salary$129,452
Federal income tax−$20,411.48
New York state tax−$7,378.764
New York local tax−$5,017.56
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$9,903.078
Take-home (net)$86,741.118

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 — New York

Career-stage progression for Civil Engineers in New York.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$80,730
2–3 yr$87,750
4–6 yr$128,250
7–10 yr$168,750
11–15 yr$199,125
15+ yr$181,987

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for New York's 1.35× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$22,711
2026 median:$129,452
Change:+$106,741

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

Is This A Good Salary?

Livable middle-class

Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$69,226
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your Civil Engineer Salary in New York

Walk-away anchor: $115,582 (offers below this are below market for New York).

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 $169K–$195K for experienced roles, citing New York market data and your specific BIM (Revit)/Sustainability/LEED expertise.

Civil Engineer Salary FAQ — New York

What is the average Civil Engineer salary in New York, NY?
The average Civil Engineer salary in New York is $129,452 per year as of April 2026 — $10,788/month, $2,489/week, or about $62/hour. Salaries range from $87,750 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $195,224 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for New York's cost-of-living multiplier (1.35×).
Is $129,452 a good Civil Engineer salary in New York?
Livable middle-class. Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline. New York's cost-of-living index is 187 (vs 100 nationally), giving $129,452 a real purchasing power of approximately $69,226 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $129,452 in New York?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For New York specifically (median home price $850,000), a $129,452 salary supports a moderate lifestyle with careful budgeting.
Is $129,452 enough for a single person in New York?
A single adult in New York typically needs ~$84,150 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $129,452 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $129,452 enough for a couple in New York?
A couple (one earner) in New York typically needs ~$134,640 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $129,452 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most couples at this level need both partners working or significant lifestyle adjustments. Two earners at $129,452 each ($258,904 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $129,452 enough for a family of 4 in New York?
A family of 4 (one earner) in New York typically needs ~$205,700 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $129,452 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 New York. Childcare costs in New York typically run $28K-$52K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Civil Engineer in New York?
On a $129,452 Civil Engineer salary in New York, NY, you take home approximately $86,741.118 per year ($7,228/month, $3,336 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $20,411.48, state $7,378.764, local $5,017.56, FICA $9,903.078. Effective tax rate: 33.0%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Civil Engineers in New York earn compared to the US average?
Civil Engineers in New York earn approximately 35% more than the US national median for this role ($95,890 nationally vs $129,452 in New York). However, New York's cost-of-living index of 187 means real purchasing power is approximately $69,226 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Civil Engineer earn in New York?
Entry-level Civil Engineers in New York typically start at around $87,750 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Civil Engineers earn $168,750 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $195,224+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Civil Engineer salaries in New York increase in 2026?
Yes — Civil Engineer salaries in New York grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $22,711 in 2025 to $129,452 in 2026 (+$106,741). 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 New York?
Civil engineering growing 6% with $1.2T US infrastructure investment driving demand through 2034. New York's top industries include Finance, Media, Tech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.2% — 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 New York.
Who are the top employers hiring Civil Engineers in New York?
Top employers hiring Civil Engineers in or near New York 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 New York?
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 New York?
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 New York?
Bachelor's degree (ABET); PE for senior roles is the typical path. However, New York'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 New York are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($95,890) by New York's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.35× — 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 New York

Mechanical Engineer →Electrical Engineer →

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Seattle, WA$127KOakland, CA$134K

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