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2026 Salary Data — Seattle, WA
Updated April 28, 2026

Civil Engineer Salary in Seattle: $127K Median

Civil Engineers in Seattle, WA earn between $86K and $191K per year.

That's +32% above the US national median of $95,890 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Civil Engineer salary in Seattle, WA is $126,575 per year — +32% above the US national median of $95,890. Salaries range from $85,800 (entry, 25th percentile) to $190,885 (90th percentile). Civil Engineers in Seattle earned approximately $22,206 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$126,575
+470.0% YoY · $10,548/mo
Entry
$85,800
0–2 years
Experienced
$165,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$190,885
Senior/lead
Civil Engineer Salary — Seattle vs Nearby
Seattle
$127K
Boston
$125K
+2% vs Seattle
San Diego
$113K
+12% vs Seattle
Los Angeles
$123K
+3% vs Seattle

Free ATS scan · Seattle employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Civil Engineers in Seattle

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

Seattle Job Market

Major tech hub home to Amazon, Microsoft, and growing biotech sector.

Population
750K
Cost of Living
165
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4%
Median Home
$850K

Top Industries in Seattle

Tech (Amazon, Microsoft)Aerospace (Boeing)HealthcareMaritime

Top Employers Hiring Civil Engineers

Major employers active in Seattle 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 — Seattle

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$85,800$126,575$190,885
Monthly$7,150$10,548$15,907
Weekly$1,650$2,434$3,671
Hourly$41$61$92

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($95,890) adjusted for Seattle's cost-of-living multiplier (1.32×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Civil Engineer Take-Home Pay in Seattle

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$97,171.013
Per month$8,098
Biweekly paycheck$3,737
Effective tax rate23.2%

Tax Breakdown on $126,575

Gross salary$126,575
Federal income tax−$19,721
Washington state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$9,682.988
Take-home (net)$97,171.013

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 — Seattle

Career-stage progression for Civil Engineers in Seattle.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$78,936
2–3 yr$85,800
4–6 yr$125,400
7–10 yr$165,000
11–15 yr$194,700
15+ yr$177,943

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Seattle's 1.32× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$22,206
2026 median:$126,575
Change:+$104,369

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
$76,712
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 Seattle

Walk-away anchor: $113,013 (offers below this are below market for Seattle).

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 $165K–$191K for experienced roles, citing Seattle market data and your specific BIM (Revit)/Sustainability/LEED expertise.

Civil Engineer Salary FAQ — Seattle

What is the average Civil Engineer salary in Seattle, WA?
The average Civil Engineer salary in Seattle is $126,575 per year as of April 2026 — $10,548/month, $2,434/week, or about $61/hour. Salaries range from $85,800 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $190,885 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Seattle's cost-of-living multiplier (1.32×).
Is $126,575 a good Civil Engineer salary in Seattle?
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. Seattle's cost-of-living index is 165 (vs 100 nationally), giving $126,575 a real purchasing power of approximately $76,712 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 $126,575 in Seattle?
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 Seattle specifically (median home price $850,000), a $126,575 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $126,575 enough for a single person in Seattle?
A single adult in Seattle typically needs ~$74,250 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $126,575 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $126,575 enough for a couple in Seattle?
A couple (one earner) in Seattle typically needs ~$118,800 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $126,575 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $126,575 each ($253,150 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $126,575 enough for a family of 4 in Seattle?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Seattle typically needs ~$181,500 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $126,575 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 Seattle. Childcare costs in Seattle typically run $25K-$46K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Civil Engineer in Seattle?
On a $126,575 Civil Engineer salary in Seattle, WA, you take home approximately $97,171.013 per year ($8,098/month, $3,737 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $19,721, state $0, FICA $9,682.988. Effective tax rate: 23.2%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Civil Engineers in Seattle earn compared to the US average?
Civil Engineers in Seattle earn approximately 32% more than the US national median for this role ($95,890 nationally vs $126,575 in Seattle). However, Seattle's cost-of-living index of 165 means real purchasing power is approximately $76,712 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Civil Engineer earn in Seattle?
Entry-level Civil Engineers in Seattle typically start at around $85,800 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Civil Engineers earn $165,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $190,885+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Civil Engineer salaries in Seattle increase in 2026?
Yes — Civil Engineer salaries in Seattle grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $22,206 in 2025 to $126,575 in 2026 (+$104,369). 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 Seattle?
Civil engineering growing 6% with $1.2T US infrastructure investment driving demand through 2034. Seattle's top industries include Tech (Amazon, Microsoft), Aerospace (Boeing), Healthcare, 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 Seattle.
Who are the top employers hiring Civil Engineers in Seattle?
Top employers hiring Civil Engineers in or near Seattle 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 Seattle?
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 Seattle?
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 Seattle?
Bachelor's degree (ABET); PE for senior roles is the typical path. However, Seattle'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 Seattle are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($95,890) by Seattle's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.32× — 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 Seattle

Mechanical Engineer →Electrical Engineer →

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Cities

New York, NY$129KLos Angeles, CA$123KWashington, DC$125KBoston, MA$125K

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