Civil Engineer Salary in Virginia
Based on 11K+ workers in Virginia
Median Annual Salary (VA)
$97,120
$46.69/hr
vs National Average
$99,151
-2.0% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$74K – $151K
11K employed in Virginia
Curious about the Civil Engineer salary in Virginia? The median annual salary for Civil Engineers in the state is $97,120. This figure sits 2% below the national average, with the majority of salaries falling within a broad range of $74,000 to $150,710. Currently, approximately 11,350 Civil Engineers are employed across Virginia.
Several factors can influence the Civil Engineer salary in Virginia. Experience level plays a significant role, with more seasoned professionals commanding higher earnings. Additionally, the specific industry within civil engineering, such as transportation or structural engineering, and the size and location of the employer within Virginia can impact compensation.
Salary Distribution — Civil Engineer in Virginia
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $74,000 |
| 25th percentile | $79,150 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $97,120 |
| 75th percentile | $126,780 |
| 90th percentile | $150,710 |
Top H-1B Employers for Civil Engineer in Virginia
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in Virginia — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amazon Data Services, Inc | 13 | $116,800 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Civil Engineer H-1B Salary by Wage Level in Virginia
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in Virginia.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | Entry-level | $92,296 | 12 |
| Level II | Qualified | $101,124 | 22 |
| Level III | Experienced | $115,000 | 6 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $126,796 | 7 |
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 Virginia 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 Virginia vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Virginia) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $89,710 |
| 2023 | $87,830 |
| 2024 | $96,210 |
| 2025 | $97,120 |
| 2026 (projected) | $98,039 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Virginia Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $89,710 | $86,235 |
| 2023 | $87,830 | $90,685 |
| 2024 | $96,210 | $96,900 |
| 2025 | $97,120 | $99,151 |
| 2026 (projected) | $98,039 | $100,089 |
Civil Engineer Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $79,150 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $97,120 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $126,780 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $150,710 |
Civil Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Civil Engineer Salaries in Virginia
How other high-demand occupations in Virginia compare to Civil Engineer ($97,120 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Civil Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager in VA | $176,160 | +81.4% | $84.69/hr |
| Aerospace Engineer in VA | $143,210 | +47.5% | $68.85/hr |
| Chemical Engineer in VA | $136,380 | +40.4% | $65.57/hr |
| Nuclear Engineer in VA | $128,890 | +32.7% | $61.97/hr |
| Electrical Engineer in VA | $119,030 | +22.6% | $57.23/hr |
| Materials Engineer in VA | $116,720 | +20.2% | $56.12/hr |
| Biomedical Engineer in VA | $106,140 | +9.3% | $51.03/hr |
| Environmental Engineer in VA | $104,940 | +8.1% | $50.45/hr |
| Mechanical Engineer in VA | $104,180 | +7.3% | $50.09/hr |
| Industrial Engineer in VA | $102,550 | +5.6% | $49.30/hr |
| Chemist in VA | $96,650 | -0.5% | $46.47/hr |
| Speech-Language Pathologist in VA | $96,250 | -0.9% | $46.27/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Civil Engineer make in Virginia?
- The median salary for a Civil Engineer in Virginia is $97,120 per year, or $47 per hour. This means that half of Civil Engineers in the state earn more than this amount, and half earn less.
What is the salary range for Civil Engineers in Virginia?
- Civil Engineers in Virginia can expect to earn between $74,000 and $150,710 annually. The lower end represents entry-level or less experienced positions, while the higher end reflects senior roles or specialized expertise.
How does the average Civil Engineer salary in Virginia compare to the national average?
- Civil Engineers in Virginia earn 2.0% less than the national average. The median salary in Virginia is $97,120 per year, compared to the national median.
How many Civil Engineers are employed in Virginia?
- There are approximately 11,350 Civil Engineers employed in Virginia. This indicates a significant number of job opportunities within the state for this profession.