Average Civil Engineers Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Civil Engineers in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metropolitan area earn an average annual salary of $104,220. This figure is slightly below the national average of $106,590, suggesting that while the region offers competitive compensation, it may not reach the highest national benchmarks. Local economic factors and industry demand within this specific geographic hub likely influence this pay scale.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $104,220 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 6.9% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $147,930.
- Outlook: With a substantial local workforce of 6,270 Civil Engineers, the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington area demonstrates a significant concentration of talent. The Location Quotient of 0.95 indicates that the density of Civil Engineers in this region is nearly on par with the national average, suggesting a stable and robust job market with consistent demand for these professionals.
Salary Overview
The average Civil Engineers in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD earns-2.2%below the national average.
$50.1
$2,004
$8,685
Civil Engineers Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is reasonable to assume that Civil Engineer salaries in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington area have experienced steady growth over the past four years, mirroring national trends. Factors such as infrastructure investment, urban development projects, and inflation typically drive an upward trajectory in compensation for skilled engineering roles.
Civil Engineers Salary Distribution in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Salary progression for Civil Engineers in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington is strongly tied to experience and specialization. Entry-level positions typically command lower salaries, while senior engineers with extensive project management experience and specialized expertise can expect significantly higher earnings. The widening gap between entry-level and senior salaries reflects clear opportunities for career advancement and increased earning potential within the field.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $72,240 | $34.7 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $78,165 | $37.6 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $96,630 | $46.5 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $130,275 | $62.6 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $147,930 | $71.1 |
Detailed Civil Engineers Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$104,220
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$104,220
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $104,220 for Civil Engineers in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means that the purchasing power of an engineer's salary in this region is equivalent to the national average, offering a balanced lifestyle without significant financial strain due to living expenses.
Job Market Context
6,270
Total Jobs
2.186
Per 1K Jobs
0.95
Location Quotient
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD has 0.95x the national average concentration of Civil Engineers jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.
A Location Quotient of 0.95 for Civil Engineers in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington signifies a job market that is closely aligned with national employment densities for this profession. This suggests a healthy level of competition and availability of roles, indicating that while the market is not oversaturated, opportunities are readily accessible for qualified candidates.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Civil Engineers
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ Civil Engineers Salary | $106,430↑ 2% | 28 mi |
| Vineland, NJ Civil Engineers Salary | $101,880↓ 2% | 35 mi |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Civil Engineers Salary | $104,510↑ 0% | 47 mi |
| Sussex Delaware nonmetropolitan area Civil Engineers Salary | $102,600↓ 2% | 47 mi |
| Reading, PA Civil Engineers Salary | $101,030↓ 3% | 48 mi |
Comparing salaries near Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Hiring Civil Engineerss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Civil Engineers make in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
The median annual salary for a Civil Engineers in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $104,220. This typically ranges from $72,240 for entry-level positions to $147,930 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 2.2% lower than the national median of $106,590.
Is Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD a lucrative place for Civil Engineers?
Yes, it offers competitive compensation.Civil Engineers in this region earn $104,220 annually, which is close to the national average. Coupled with a Cost of Living Index at the national average, this salary provides strong purchasing power.
Is Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD a good place to live for Civil Engineers?
The Cost of Living Index in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
Some top paying nearby cities include Trenton-Princeton, NJ ($106,430) and Vineland, NJ.
How does the Civil Engineer salary in Philadelphia compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for Civil Engineers in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington is $104,220, which is slightly lower than the national average of $106,590.
What is the concentration of Civil Engineers in the Philadelphia area?
The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington area has a Location Quotient of 0.95 for Civil Engineers, indicating a concentration very close to the national average.
How does the cost of living affect the Civil Engineer salary in Philadelphia?
With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington area is at the national average, meaning the $104,220 salary has purchasing power equivalent to the national average.
What does the job market look like for Civil Engineers in Philadelphia?
The job market is robust, with 6,270 Civil Engineers employed locally and a job density of 2.186 per 1,000 workers, suggesting consistent demand.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 6,270 employees in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area with a job density of 2.186 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
Explore Civil Engineers Salaries by State
Top Jobs in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- All Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Sales and Related Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Management Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Healthcare Support Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Business and Financial Operations Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Educational Instruction and Library Occupations Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
- Browse All Jobs in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD →
Semantic Salary Analysis for Civil Engineers • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD