Civil Engineers vs Computer Network Support Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Civil Engineers professionals earn $26,250 more per year than Computer Network Support Specialists professionals — that's 35.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Civil Engineers earns $160,990 compared to $124,470 for Computer Network Support Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Computer Network Support Specialists$46,010 – $124,470
$46,010$160,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Computer Network Support Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $46,010 | +$19,910 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $56,720 | +$22,070 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $73,340 | +$26,250 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $95,710 | +$32,580 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | $124,470 | +$36,520 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $79,610 | +$27,440 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Computer Network Support Specialists
146,450
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Computer Network Support Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $104,130 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $98,670 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $98,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $97,200 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $88,980 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Civil Engineers or Computer Network Support Specialists?
Civil Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $26,250 (35.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Computer Network Support Specialists?
Computer Network Support Specialists salaries range from $46,010 (10th percentile) to $124,470 (90th percentile), with a median of $73,340.
How many Civil Engineers and Computer Network Support Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers positions and 146,450 Computer Network Support Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Computer Network Support Specialists to Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 while Computer Network Support Specialists earns $73,340. 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