Accountants and Auditors vs Civil Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Civil Engineers professionals earn $17,910 more per year than Accountants and Auditors professionals — that's 21.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Accountants and Auditors earns $141,420 compared to $160,990 for Civil Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Accountants and Auditors$52,780 – $141,420
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
$52,780$160,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Civil Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $65,920 | $-13,140 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $78,790 | $-14,130 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $99,590 | $-17,910 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $128,290 | $-21,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | $160,990 | $-19,570 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $107,050 | $-13,530 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Accountants and Auditors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $121,630 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $105,750 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $105,100 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,440 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,380 |
Best Cities for Civil Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $130,310 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $129,260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $126,560 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $109,250 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $108,010 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Accountants and Auditors or Civil Engineers?
Civil Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $17,910 (21.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Accountants and Auditors?
Accountants and Auditors salaries range from $52,780 (10th percentile) to $141,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $81,680.
What is the salary range for Civil Engineers?
Civil Engineers salaries range from $65,920 (10th percentile) to $160,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $99,590.
How many Accountants and Auditors and Civil Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,448,290 Accountants and Auditors positions and 355,410 Civil Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Civil Engineers to Accountants and Auditors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Accountants and Auditors has a median salary of $81,680 while Civil Engineers earns $99,590. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS