Civil Engineers vs Financial Analysts: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Financial Analysts professionals earn $1,760 more per year than Civil Engineers professionals — that's 1.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Civil Engineers earns $160,990 compared to $180,550 for Financial Analysts.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Financial Analysts$62,410 – $180,550
$62,410$180,550
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Financial Analysts | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $62,410 | +$3,510 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $78,300 | +$490 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $101,350 | $-1,760 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $132,050 | $-3,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | $180,550 | $-19,560 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $116,490 | $-9,440 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Financial Analysts
340,580
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 Financial Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $134,470 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $128,490 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $128,470 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $111,410 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $110,450 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Civil Engineers or Financial Analysts?
Financial Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $1,760 (1.8% 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 Financial Analysts?
Financial Analysts salaries range from $62,410 (10th percentile) to $180,550 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,350.
How many Civil Engineers and Financial Analysts jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers positions and 340,580 Financial Analysts positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Financial Analysts to Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 while Financial Analysts earns $101,350. 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