Civil Engineers vs Education Administrators, Postsecondary: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Education Administrators, Postsecondary professionals earn $4,370 more per year than Civil Engineers professionals — that's 4.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Civil Engineers earns $160,990 compared to $212,420 for Education Administrators, Postsecondary.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Education Administrators, Postsecondary$63,820 – $212,420
$63,820$212,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Education Administrators, Postsecondary | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $63,820 | +$2,100 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $79,880 | $-1,090 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $103,960 | $-4,370 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $140,940 | $-12,650 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | $212,420 | $-51,430 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $124,450 | $-17,400 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Education Administrators, Postsecondary
176,420
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 Education Administrators, Postsecondary
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $137,490 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $136,880 |
| Rochester, NY | $132,150 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $131,910 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $129,330 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Civil Engineers or Education Administrators, Postsecondary?
Education Administrators, Postsecondary professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $4,370 (4.4% 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 Education Administrators, Postsecondary?
Education Administrators, Postsecondary salaries range from $63,820 (10th percentile) to $212,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $103,960.
How many Civil Engineers and Education Administrators, Postsecondary jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers positions and 176,420 Education Administrators, Postsecondary positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Education Administrators, Postsecondary to Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 while Education Administrators, Postsecondary earns $103,960. 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