Civil Engineers vs Computer Programmers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Civil Engineers professionals earn $920 more per year than Computer Programmers professionals — that's 0.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Civil Engineers earns $160,990 compared to $162,090 for Computer Programmers.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
$52,190$162,090
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Computer Programmers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $52,190 | +$13,730 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $71,860 | +$6,930 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $98,670 | +$920 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $128,960 | $-670 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | $162,090 | $-1,100 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $103,640 | +$3,410 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Computer Programmers
109,870
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 Programmers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $167,970 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $159,250 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,560 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $122,580 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $122,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Civil Engineers or Computer Programmers?
Civil Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $920 (0.9% 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 Programmers?
Computer Programmers salaries range from $52,190 (10th percentile) to $162,090 (90th percentile), with a median of $98,670.
How many Civil Engineers and Computer Programmers jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers positions and 109,870 Computer Programmers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Computer Programmers to Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 while Computer Programmers earns $98,670. 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