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2026 Salary Data — Virginia Beach, VA
Updated April 28, 2026

Civil Engineer Salary in Virginia Beach: $94K Median

Civil Engineers in Virginia Beach, VA earn between $64K and $142K per year.

That's -2% below the US national median of $95,890 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Civil Engineer salary in Virginia Beach, VA is $93,972 per year — -2% below the US national median of $95,890. Salaries range from $63,700 (entry, 25th percentile) to $141,718 (90th percentile). Civil Engineers in Virginia Beach earned approximately $16,486 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$93,972
+470.0% YoY · $7,831/mo
Entry
$63,700
0–2 years
Experienced
$122,500
5+ years
Top 10%
$141,718
Senior/lead
Civil Engineer Salary — Virginia Beach vs Nearby
Virginia Beach
$94K
Charlotte
$98K
-4% vs Virginia Beach
Fort Worth
$98K
-4% vs Virginia Beach
Mesa
$94K
+0% vs Virginia Beach

Free ATS scan · Virginia Beach employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Civil Engineers in Virginia Beach

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

Virginia Beach Job Market

Military and tourism hub with strong defense industry.

Population
459K
Cost of Living
100
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.8%
Median Home
$360K

Top Industries in Virginia Beach

Military/NavalTourismDefenseHealthcare

Top Employers Hiring Civil Engineers

Major employers active in Virginia Beach 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 — Virginia Beach

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$63,700$93,972$141,718
Monthly$5,308$7,831$11,810
Weekly$1,225$1,807$2,725
Hourly$31$45$68

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($95,890) adjusted for Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (0.98×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Civil Engineer Take-Home Pay in Virginia Beach

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$69,708.702
Per month$5,809
Biweekly paycheck$2,681
Effective tax rate25.8%

Tax Breakdown on $93,972

Gross salary$93,972
Federal income tax−$12,375.84
Virginia state tax−$4,698.6
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$7,188.858
Take-home (net)$69,708.702

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 — Virginia Beach

Career-stage progression for Civil Engineers in Virginia Beach.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$58,604
2–3 yr$63,700
4–6 yr$93,100
7–10 yr$122,500
11–15 yr$144,550
15+ yr$132,109

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Virginia Beach's 0.98× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$16,486
2026 median:$93,972
Change:+$77,486

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
$93,972
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 Virginia Beach

Walk-away anchor: $83,904 (offers below this are below market for Virginia Beach).

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 $123K–$142K for experienced roles, citing Virginia Beach market data and your specific BIM (Revit)/Sustainability/LEED expertise.

Civil Engineer Salary FAQ — Virginia Beach

What is the average Civil Engineer salary in Virginia Beach, VA?
The average Civil Engineer salary in Virginia Beach is $93,972 per year as of April 2026 — $7,831/month, $1,807/week, or about $45/hour. Salaries range from $63,700 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $141,718 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (0.98×).
Is $93,972 a good Civil Engineer salary in Virginia Beach?
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. Virginia Beach's cost-of-living index is 100 (vs 100 nationally), giving $93,972 a real purchasing power of approximately $93,972 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 $93,972 in Virginia Beach?
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 Virginia Beach specifically (median home price $360,000), a $93,972 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $93,972 enough for a single person in Virginia Beach?
A single adult in Virginia Beach typically needs ~$45,000 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $93,972 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $93,972 enough for a couple in Virginia Beach?
A couple (one earner) in Virginia Beach typically needs ~$72,000 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $93,972 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $93,972 each ($187,944 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $93,972 enough for a family of 4 in Virginia Beach?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Virginia Beach typically needs ~$110,000 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $93,972 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 Virginia Beach. Childcare costs in Virginia Beach typically run $15K-$28K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Civil Engineer in Virginia Beach?
On a $93,972 Civil Engineer salary in Virginia Beach, VA, you take home approximately $69,708.702 per year ($5,809/month, $2,681 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $12,375.84, state $4,698.6, FICA $7,188.858. Effective tax rate: 25.8%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Civil Engineers in Virginia Beach earn compared to the US average?
Civil Engineers in Virginia Beach earn approximately 2% less than the US national median for this role ($95,890 nationally vs $93,972 in Virginia Beach). However, Virginia Beach's cost-of-living index of 100 means real purchasing power is approximately $93,972 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Civil Engineer earn in Virginia Beach?
Entry-level Civil Engineers in Virginia Beach typically start at around $63,700 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Civil Engineers earn $122,500 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $141,718+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Civil Engineer salaries in Virginia Beach increase in 2026?
Yes — Civil Engineer salaries in Virginia Beach grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $16,486 in 2025 to $93,972 in 2026 (+$77,486). 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 Virginia Beach?
Civil engineering growing 6% with $1.2T US infrastructure investment driving demand through 2034. Virginia Beach's top industries include Military/Naval, Tourism, Defense, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.8% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
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 Virginia Beach.
Who are the top employers hiring Civil Engineers in Virginia Beach?
Top employers hiring Civil Engineers in or near Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach?
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 Virginia Beach?
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 Virginia Beach?
Bachelor's degree (ABET); PE for senior roles is the typical path. However, Virginia Beach'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 Virginia Beach are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($95,890) by Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.98× — 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 Virginia Beach

Mechanical Engineer →Electrical Engineer →

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Phoenix, AZ$96KSan Antonio, TX$89KFort Worth, TX$98KColumbus, OH$93KCharlotte, NC$98KIndianapolis, IN$89KDetroit, MI$89KNashville, TN$96K

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