Civil Engineers vs Cost Estimators: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Civil Engineers professionals earn $22,520 more per year than Cost Estimators professionals — that's 29.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Civil Engineers earns $160,990 compared to $128,640 for Cost Estimators.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
$46,330$160,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Cost Estimators | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $46,330 | +$19,590 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $59,830 | +$18,960 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $77,070 | +$22,520 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $99,630 | +$28,660 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | $128,640 | +$32,350 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $83,160 | +$23,890 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Cost Estimators
219,530
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 Cost Estimators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $104,190 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $103,030 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,990 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $86,540 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $86,300 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Civil Engineers or Cost Estimators?
Civil Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $22,520 (29.2% 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 Cost Estimators?
Cost Estimators salaries range from $46,330 (10th percentile) to $128,640 (90th percentile), with a median of $77,070.
How many Civil Engineers and Cost Estimators jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers positions and 219,530 Cost Estimators positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Cost Estimators to Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 while Cost Estimators earns $77,070. 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