How much does a Civil Designer make?
Civil designers play an important role in shaping our communities. They create plans for new buildings, roads, and other structures. These professionals earn a solid income for their work. The average yearly salary for a civil designer is around $84,096. This can vary based on experience and location.
Some civil designers earn less or more than the average. Here is a look at how salaries can differ:
- The lowest-paid civil designers earn about $46,000 a year.
- The highest-paid civil designers can earn more than $150,000 a year.
- Many civil designers earn between $64,909 and $93,273 a year.
Civil designers with more experience often earn higher salaries. Their skills and knowledge make them very valuable to employers. As you gain experience, your salary can grow.
What are the highest paying cities for a Civil Designer?

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Rochester, MN
Average Salary: $120,249
In Rochester, civil designers contribute to the city's infrastructure projects. They work with companies like Mayo Clinic and local government agencies on public works. The focus here is on sustainable and community-oriented design.
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New Orleans, LA
Average Salary: $107,545
New Orleans offers a unique setting for civil designers. They collaborate with firms like Cox Environmental to work on projects that improve the city's resilience to flooding. The job involves both innovative and practical design solutions.
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Seattle, WA
Average Salary: $102,604
Seattle's civil designers are part of a tech-driven environment. They often work with companies like Amazon and local government to create efficient urban landscapes. The city values green design and sustainable practices.
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Los Angeles, CA
Average Salary: $101,495
Los Angeles provides a dynamic environment for civil designers. They often work with major firms like AECOM on large-scale infrastructure projects. The city's diverse projects require versatile and creative design skills.
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San Antonio, TX
Average Salary: $101,333
In San Antonio, civil designers focus on expanding the city’s infrastructure. They work with companies like AT&T and local government on various public works projects. The job involves both urban planning and technical design.
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San Francisco, CA
Average Salary: $96,586
San Francisco offers a vibrant job market for civil designers. They collaborate with tech firms like Apple and local government on infrastructure and public works. The city's focus on innovation drives many design projects.
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Fresno, CA
Average Salary: $96,446
Fresno's civil designers contribute to the city's growth. They work with companies like Pacific Gas & Electric on infrastructure projects. The job often involves both urban planning and practical design solutions.
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San Diego, CA
Average Salary: $96,080
In San Diego, civil designers are involved in creating efficient urban environments. They collaborate with firms like Qualcomm on various infrastructure projects. The city values sustainability and innovative design.
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Boston, MA
Average Salary: $94,689
Boston's civil designers work on historic and modern projects. They often collaborate with firms like Jacobs Engineering and local government. The job requires a mix of traditional and cutting-edge design skills.
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Sacramento, CA
Average Salary: $92,960
Sacramento offers a variety of projects for civil designers. They work with companies like AECOM and local government on infrastructure and public works. The city's diverse projects require versatile and creative design skills.
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What are the best companies a Civil Designer can work for?

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Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
Average Salary: $110,286
Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. is a well-known firm offering civil engineering and environmental services. The company operates in several states across the US, with offices in North Carolina, Florida, and Virginia. They hire civil designers who play a key role in infrastructure projects.
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Parsons
Average Salary: $99,404
Parsons is a leading engineering firm with a global reach. They provide civil engineering services and operate in various locations, including California, Texas, and New York. At Parsons, civil designers contribute to infrastructure development and urban planning projects.
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Stantec
Average Salary: $92,199
Stantec is a global design and engineering company. They have offices in multiple countries and specialize in infrastructure, buildings, and transportation. Civil designers at Stantec are involved in designing sustainable and efficient infrastructure solutions.
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Kleinfelder
Average Salary: $91,929
Kleinfelder offers engineering and consulting services worldwide. They have offices in various states, including Florida, California, and Colorado. Their civil designers work on projects related to water resources, transportation, and environmental services.
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TKDA
Average Salary: $91,046
TKDA is a civil and environmental engineering firm with offices in Texas and Louisiana. They focus on water resources, coastal engineering, and infrastructure projects. Civil designers at TKDA are key to developing innovative and sustainable engineering solutions.
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Pennoni
Average Salary: $87,818
Pennoni is a design and consulting firm with a strong presence in the Northeast and Midwest. They offer services in civil, structural, and mechanical engineering. Their civil designers work on various infrastructure projects across Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio.
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HDR
Average Salary: $85,848
HDR is a global design, engineering, and environmental services firm. They have offices in many countries and specialize in infrastructure and building projects. HDR's civil designers are involved in creating sustainable and efficient infrastructure solutions.
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Bohler
Average Salary: $85,414
Bohler is a civil and environmental engineering firm with offices in several states, including Florida and Pennsylvania. They focus on water resources, transportation, and infrastructure projects. Civil designers at Bohler contribute to the development of sustainable and efficient infrastructure solutions.
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Barghausen Consulting Engineers
Average Salary: $84,250
Barghausen Consulting Engineers is a civil engineering firm with a presence in the Midwest and East Coast. They offer services in transportation, water resources, and structural engineering. Their civil designers work on infrastructure projects, focusing on innovative and sustainable solutions.
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Sargent & Lundy
Average Salary: $77,395
Sargent & Lundy is an engineering and consulting firm with a focus on energy and infrastructure. They have offices in several states, including Illinois and Virginia. Their civil designers are involved in designing and developing infrastructure projects, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and efficiency.
How to earn more as a Civil Designer?
Earning more as a Civil Designer involves a combination of skill development and strategic career moves. One effective way is to specialize in high-demand areas such as sustainable design or infrastructure project management. Specialization can make a Civil Designer more valuable to potential employers. Another important factor is gaining relevant certifications and licenses. These add to a designer's credentials and can lead to higher-paying positions. Keeping up-to-date with the latest software and design tools also increases efficiency and productivity. This can result in more projects being completed in less time, which often translates to higher pay.
Building a strong professional network also plays a significant role in earning more. Networking with other professionals in the industry can lead to more job opportunities and higher-paying positions. Attending industry conferences, joining professional organizations, and participating in online forums can all help to expand one’s network. Finally, taking on leadership roles or consulting positions can boost earnings. These roles often require more experience and responsibility, which employers are willing to pay more for. By focusing on these areas, Civil Designers can improve their earning potential.
Here are some key factors to consider:
- Specialize in high-demand areas
- Gain relevant certifications and licenses
- Stay updated with the latest software and tools
- Build a strong professional network
- Take on leadership or consulting roles



