Civil Engineers vs Graphic Designers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Civil Engineers professionals earn $38,290 more per year than Graphic Designers professionals — that's 62.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Civil Engineers earns $160,990 compared to $103,030 for Graphic Designers.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Graphic Designers$37,600 – $103,030
$37,600$160,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Graphic Designers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $37,600 | +$28,320 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $47,200 | +$31,590 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $61,300 | +$38,290 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $79,000 | +$49,290 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | $103,030 | +$57,960 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $68,610 | +$38,440 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Graphic Designers
214,260
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 Graphic Designers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $98,530 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $89,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $82,630 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $82,360 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $78,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Civil Engineers or Graphic Designers?
Civil Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $38,290 (62.5% 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 Graphic Designers?
Graphic Designers salaries range from $37,600 (10th percentile) to $103,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $61,300.
How many Civil Engineers and Graphic Designers jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers positions and 214,260 Graphic Designers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Graphic Designers to Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 while Graphic Designers earns $61,300. 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