Civil Engineers vs Office Clerks, General: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Civil Engineers professionals earn $55,960 more per year than Office Clerks, General professionals — that's 128.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Civil Engineers earns $160,990 compared to $63,840 for Office Clerks, General.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Office Clerks, General$29,120 – $63,840
$29,120$160,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Office Clerks, General | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $29,120 | +$36,800 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $35,350 | +$43,440 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $43,630 | +$55,960 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $52,560 | +$75,730 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | $63,840 | +$97,150 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $45,470 | +$61,580 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Office Clerks, General
2,510,550
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 Office Clerks, General
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $58,920 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $56,330 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $55,790 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $53,640 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $51,270 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Civil Engineers or Office Clerks, General?
Civil Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $55,960 (128.3% 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 Office Clerks, General?
Office Clerks, General salaries range from $29,120 (10th percentile) to $63,840 (90th percentile), with a median of $43,630.
How many Civil Engineers and Office Clerks, General jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers positions and 2,510,550 Office Clerks, General positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Office Clerks, General to Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 while Office Clerks, General earns $43,630. 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