Civil Engineers vs Electrical Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn $12,320 more per year than Civil Engineers professionals — that's 12.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Civil Engineers earns $160,990 compared to $175,460 for Electrical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Electrical Engineers$74,670 – $175,460
$65,920$175,460
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Electrical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $74,670 | $-8,750 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $87,590 | $-8,800 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $111,910 | $-12,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $141,630 | $-13,340 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | $175,460 | $-14,470 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $120,980 | $-13,930 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Electrical Engineers
188,790
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 Electrical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $186,920 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $163,840 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $136,820 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $135,480 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $134,900 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Civil Engineers or Electrical Engineers?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $12,320 (12.4% 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 Electrical Engineers?
Electrical Engineers salaries range from $74,670 (10th percentile) to $175,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $111,910.
How many Civil Engineers and Electrical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers positions and 188,790 Electrical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Electrical Engineers to Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 while Electrical Engineers earns $111,910. 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