Civil Engineers vs Human Resources Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Civil Engineers professionals earn $26,680 more per year than Human Resources Specialists professionals — that's 36.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Civil Engineers earns $160,990 compared to $126,540 for Human Resources Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Human Resources Specialists$45,440 – $126,540
$45,440$160,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Human Resources Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $45,440 | +$20,480 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $55,870 | +$22,920 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $72,910 | +$26,680 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $97,270 | +$31,020 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | $126,540 | +$34,450 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $79,730 | +$27,320 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Human Resources Specialists
917,460
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 Human Resources Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $114,080 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $100,600 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $97,340 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $88,050 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $83,930 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Civil Engineers or Human Resources Specialists?
Civil Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $26,680 (36.6% 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 Human Resources Specialists?
Human Resources Specialists salaries range from $45,440 (10th percentile) to $126,540 (90th percentile), with a median of $72,910.
How many Civil Engineers and Human Resources Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers positions and 917,460 Human Resources Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Human Resources Specialists to Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 while Human Resources Specialists earns $72,910. 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