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

Civil Engineer Salary in Philadelphia: $100K Median

Civil Engineers in Philadelphia, PA earn between $68K and $150K per year.

That's +4% above the US national median of $95,890 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Civil Engineer salary in Philadelphia, PA is $99,726 per year — +4% above the US national median of $95,890. Salaries range from $67,600 (entry, 25th percentile) to $150,394 (90th percentile). Civil Engineers in Philadelphia earned approximately $17,496 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$99,726
+470.0% YoY · $8,311/mo
Entry
$67,600
0–2 years
Experienced
$130,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$150,394
Senior/lead
Civil Engineer Salary — Philadelphia vs Nearby
Philadelphia
$100K
Las Vegas
$91K
+9% vs Philadelphia
Minneapolis
$105K
-5% vs Philadelphia
Chicago
$101K
-1% vs Philadelphia

Free ATS scan · Philadelphia employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Civil Engineers in Philadelphia

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

Philadelphia Job Market

Major East Coast medical, education, and pharmaceutical hub.

Population
1584K
Cost of Living
109
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.6%
Median Home
$285K

Top Industries in Philadelphia

HealthcareEducationFinancePharmaceuticalsManufacturing

Top Employers Hiring Civil Engineers

Major employers active in Philadelphia 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 — Philadelphia

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$67,600$99,726$150,394
Monthly$5,633$8,311$12,533
Weekly$1,300$1,918$2,892
Hourly$33$48$72

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($95,890) adjusted for Philadelphia's cost-of-living multiplier (1.04×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Civil Engineer Take-Home Pay in Philadelphia

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$71,653.928
Per month$5,971
Biweekly paycheck$2,756
Effective tax rate28.1%

Tax Breakdown on $99,726

Gross salary$99,726
Federal income tax−$13,641.72
Pennsylvania state tax−$3,061.588
Philadelphia local tax−$3,739.725
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$7,629.039
Take-home (net)$71,653.928

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 — Philadelphia

Career-stage progression for Civil Engineers in Philadelphia.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$62,192
2–3 yr$67,600
4–6 yr$98,800
7–10 yr$130,000
11–15 yr$153,400
15+ yr$140,197

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Philadelphia's 1.04× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$17,496
2026 median:$99,726
Change:+$82,230

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
$91,492
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Civil Engineer Salary in Philadelphia

Walk-away anchor: $89,041 (offers below this are below market for Philadelphia).

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 $130K–$150K for experienced roles, citing Philadelphia market data and your specific BIM (Revit)/Sustainability/LEED expertise.

Civil Engineer Salary FAQ — Philadelphia

What is the average Civil Engineer salary in Philadelphia, PA?
The average Civil Engineer salary in Philadelphia is $99,726 per year as of April 2026 — $8,311/month, $1,918/week, or about $48/hour. Salaries range from $67,600 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $150,394 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Philadelphia's cost-of-living multiplier (1.04×).
Is $99,726 a good Civil Engineer salary in Philadelphia?
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. Philadelphia's cost-of-living index is 109 (vs 100 nationally), giving $99,726 a real purchasing power of approximately $91,492 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $99,726 in Philadelphia?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Philadelphia specifically (median home price $285,000), a $99,726 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $99,726 enough for a single person in Philadelphia?
A single adult in Philadelphia typically needs ~$49,050 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $99,726 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $99,726 enough for a couple in Philadelphia?
A couple (one earner) in Philadelphia typically needs ~$78,480 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $99,726 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $99,726 each ($199,452 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $99,726 enough for a family of 4 in Philadelphia?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Philadelphia typically needs ~$119,900 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $99,726 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 Philadelphia. Childcare costs in Philadelphia typically run $16K-$31K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Civil Engineer in Philadelphia?
On a $99,726 Civil Engineer salary in Philadelphia, PA, you take home approximately $71,653.928 per year ($5,971/month, $2,756 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $13,641.72, state $3,061.588, local $3,739.725, FICA $7,629.039. Effective tax rate: 28.1%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Civil Engineers in Philadelphia earn compared to the US average?
Civil Engineers in Philadelphia earn approximately 4% more than the US national median for this role ($95,890 nationally vs $99,726 in Philadelphia). However, Philadelphia's cost-of-living index of 109 means real purchasing power is approximately $91,492 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Civil Engineer earn in Philadelphia?
Entry-level Civil Engineers in Philadelphia typically start at around $67,600 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Civil Engineers earn $130,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $150,394+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Civil Engineer salaries in Philadelphia increase in 2026?
Yes — Civil Engineer salaries in Philadelphia grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $17,496 in 2025 to $99,726 in 2026 (+$82,230). 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 Philadelphia?
Civil engineering growing 6% with $1.2T US infrastructure investment driving demand through 2034. Philadelphia's top industries include Healthcare, Education, Finance, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.6% — 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 Philadelphia.
Who are the top employers hiring Civil Engineers in Philadelphia?
Top employers hiring Civil Engineers in or near Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia?
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 Philadelphia?
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 Philadelphia?
Bachelor's degree (ABET); PE for senior roles is the typical path. However, Philadelphia'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 Philadelphia are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($95,890) by Philadelphia's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.04× — 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 Philadelphia

Mechanical Engineer →Electrical Engineer →

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Chicago, IL$101KHouston, TX$101KPhoenix, AZ$96KDallas, TX$101KFort Worth, TX$98KCharlotte, NC$98KNashville, TN$96KSacramento, CA$104K

Land a $100K+ Civil Engineer Role in Philadelphia

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