SalaryByCity

Civil Engineers vs Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Civil Engineers

$99,590

Median annual salary

355,410 employed nationally

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

$64,580

Median annual salary

1,072,540 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Civil Engineers professionals earn $35,010 more per year than Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education professionals — that's 54.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Civil Engineers earns $160,990 compared to $104,670 for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education.

Salary Range Comparison

Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$47,330 – $104,670
$47,330$160,990

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileCivil EngineersSecondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationDifference
10th Percentile$65,920$47,330+$18,590
25th Percentile$78,790$57,800+$20,990
Median (50th)$99,590$64,580+$35,010
75th Percentile$128,290$83,010+$45,280
90th Percentile$160,990$104,670+$56,320
Mean (Average)$107,050$73,700+$33,350

Employment Numbers

Civil Engineers

355,410

employed nationwide

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

1,072,540

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Civil Engineers

CityMedian
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 Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$103,640
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$103,640
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$99,840
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$99,740
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$99,530

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Civil Engineers or Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education?
Civil Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $35,010 (54.2% 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 Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education?
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salaries range from $47,330 (10th percentile) to $104,670 (90th percentile), with a median of $64,580.
How many Civil Engineers and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers positions and 1,072,540 Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education to Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 while Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education earns $64,580. 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