Civil Engineer Salary in North Carolina
Based on 13K+ workers in North Carolina
Median Annual Salary (NC)
$100,730
$48.43/hr
vs National Average
$99,151
+1.6% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$71K – $161K
13K employed in North Carolina
Curious about the Civil Engineer salary in North Carolina? The median annual salary for Civil Engineers in the Tar Heel State is $100,730, placing it 2% above the national average. This robust figure is supported by a substantial employment base of 12,810 workers, indicating a healthy demand for these professionals across the state.
Several factors influence a Civil Engineer salary in North Carolina. Beyond experience and specialized skills, the specific industry, the size and type of employer, and geographic location within the state all play a significant role. Engineers working on large-scale infrastructure projects or in high-demand metropolitan areas may command salaries closer to the upper end of the $70,760 to $160,520 range.
Salary Distribution — Civil Engineer in North Carolina
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $70,760 |
| 25th percentile | $79,140 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $100,730 |
| 75th percentile | $125,730 |
| 90th percentile | $160,520 |
Top H-1B Employers for Civil Engineer in North Carolina
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in North Carolina — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | STV Incorporated | 4 | $96,148 |
| 2 | SEQUOIA SERVICES, LLC | 3 | $87,516 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Civil Engineer H-1B Salary by Wage Level in North Carolina
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in North Carolina.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | Entry-level | $76,000 | 19 |
| Level II | Qualified | $97,000 | 12 |
| Level III | Experienced | $104,312 | 9 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Civil Engineer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Civil Engineers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Civil Engineers in North Carolina tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $157,120 | 960 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $123,980 | 3K |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $116,320 | 1K |
| Utilities | $112,820 | 2K |
| Finance and Insurance | $109,740 | 600 |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Civil Engineer in North Carolina vs National
| Year | Median Salary (North Carolina) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $81,230 |
| 2023 | $86,620 |
| 2024 | $93,590 |
| 2025 | $100,730 |
| 2026 (projected) | $106,774 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | North Carolina Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $81,230 | $86,235 |
| 2023 | $86,620 | $90,685 |
| 2024 | $93,590 | $96,900 |
| 2025 | $100,730 | $99,151 |
| 2026 (projected) | $106,774 | $105,100 |
Civil Engineer Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $79,140 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $100,730 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $125,730 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $160,520 |
Civil Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Civil Engineer Salaries in North Carolina
How other high-demand occupations in North Carolina compare to Civil Engineer ($100,730 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Civil Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager in NC | $167,840 | +66.6% | $80.69/hr |
| Nuclear Engineer in NC | $131,850 | +30.9% | $63.39/hr |
| Aerospace Engineer in NC | $122,930 | +22.0% | $59.10/hr |
| Chemical Engineer in NC | $117,410 | +16.6% | $56.45/hr |
| Electrical Engineer in NC | $110,130 | +9.3% | $52.95/hr |
| Materials Engineer in NC | $104,240 | +3.5% | $50.12/hr |
| Mechanical Engineer in NC | $100,720 | -0.0% | $48.42/hr |
| Environmental Engineer in NC | $99,440 | -1.3% | $47.81/hr |
| Industrial Engineer in NC | $99,310 | -1.4% | $47.75/hr |
| Biomedical Engineer in NC | $94,790 | -5.9% | $45.57/hr |
| Financial Examiner in NC | $100,730 | +0.0% | $48.43/hr |
| Project Management Specialist in NC | $100,820 | +0.1% | $48.47/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a Civil Engineer in North Carolina?
- The median salary for a Civil Engineer in North Carolina is $100,730 per year, which equates to approximately $48 per hour. This is slightly higher than the national average, by 1.6%.
What is the salary range for Civil Engineers in North Carolina?
- In North Carolina, the typical salary range for Civil Engineers falls between $70,760 and $160,520 annually. This indicates a wide spectrum of earning potential within the profession in the state.
How does North Carolina compare to the national average for Civil Engineer salaries?
- Civil Engineers in North Carolina earn, on average, 1.6% more than their counterparts across the nation. The median salary in North Carolina stands at $100,730 per year, compared to the national median.
How many Civil Engineers are employed in North Carolina?
- North Carolina is home to approximately 12,810 employed Civil Engineers. This figure reflects the demand for these professionals within the state's infrastructure and development sectors.