25 Best States for Civil Engineers

Today’s list focuses on the best states for civil engineers, places which offer solid employment opportunities and paycheck that secures comfortable living.  In describing civil engineer’s work American Society of Civil Engineers emphasizes that these professionals lay foundations for the privileges of modern society, while also reminding us that we should thank them for water running from tap, traffic lights, recycling and many other everyday conveniences as well as for beauty of buildings such as the Golden Gate Bridge or the Eiffel Tower.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recognizes 18 engineering occupations among which civil engineers represent the largest group. There are 281,400 people working in this field and BLS estimates that their number will grow by 8% for the period between 2014 and 2024, which is as fast as the national average for all occupations. In number terms, it means that around 23,600 new jobs will be added so recent graduates should not worry about lacking career opportunities.

Educational requirements for the occupation include BA degree in civil engineering or related field. In addition, these workers usually need a degree from ABET accredited program in order to obtain professional engineering license. Although further education, i.e. master degree is not mandatory, it gives young people competitive advantage on job market especially having in mind that one in four employers prefer to hire MA degree holder for the positions which were normally held by employees with a four-degree diploma in the past.  MA diploma coupled with work experience also facilitates career advancements and can open many doors.

Civil engineers design, budget, manage large building and infrastructure projects such as roads, airports, bridges, dams, tunnels, power plants, water supply, sewerage systems, etc. Their responsibilities range from preparing engineering design and conducting feasibility study across material and soil testing to overseeing operations and making sure that projects comply with legal requirements.

Compared to all engineering occupations civil engineers earn less. Their annual median salary is $82,220, with 10% earning more than $129,850. On this list, you will find highest paying states for the occupation and if you are interested in discovering which countries are super generous toward civil engineers, check our ranking of 12 Highest Paying Countries for Civil Engineers.

In ranking of the best states for civil engineers we have considered three things – annual median wage obtained from BLS, data about future job growth which can be found at Projections Central, as well as costs of living determined by Missouri Economic Research and Information Center. We ranked states by each of these three criteria and then calculated an average score to come up with this list. In cases when two states had the same score, the order in which they are placed depended mainly on the annual median salary.

25. California

Annual median wage: $99,730

Rank by annual median wage: 2

Job growth: 12.2%

Rank by job growth: 23

Cost of living index: 134.8

Rank by cost of living index: 48

Average ranking: 24.33

We start today’s list of best states for civil engineers with California, the state which hires the highest number of civil engineers in America. There are 39,170 people working in this field, earning almost $100,000 annually which is the second highest salary in the country. In addition, the occupation will see 12.2% growth in the number of new jobs. The reason why California ranked low on the list are costs of living since the state is the among the most expensive places to live in America.

24. Oregon

Annual median wage: $78,240

Rank by annual median wage: 23

Job growth: 18.9%

Rank by job growth: 9

Cost of living index: 115.4

Rank by cost of living index: 39

Average rank: 23.6

The reason why Oregon found the place on the list of best states for civil engineers is 18.9% job growth by 2024. In terms of other parameters, you should note that salary is some $4,000 below the national average while Oregon falls into the category of expensive states.

23. Arkansas

Annual median wage: $72,910

Rank by annual median wage: 37

Job growth: 9.8%

Rank by job growth: 30

Cost of living index: 88.5

Rank by cost of living index: 4

Average rank: 23.6

With an annual median wage of $72,910, Arkansas is one of the lowest paying states for civil engineers. However, it is also one of the least expensive ones which is why Arkansas found the place on this list of best states for civil engineers. Job increase of 9.8% means that there will be 50 new job openings per year by 2024.

22. Michigan

Annual median wage: $72,350

Rank by annual median wage: 42

Job growth: 12%

Rank by job growth: 25

Cost of living index: 88.2

Rank by cost of living index: 3

Average ranking: 23.33

Like in previously mentioned Arkansas civil engineers cannot count on high salary in Michigan, the next one in our list of best states for civil engineers. What they can expect are the third lowest costs of living in America. Additionally, 260 new jobs for the occupations will be open yearly in next few years.

21. Maryland

Annual median wage: $79,060

Rank by annual median wage: 19

Job growth: 23.1%

Rank by job growth: 7

Cost of living index: 125.0

Rank by cost of living index: 44

Average ranking: 23.3

If we had not taken into account costs of living, Maryland would occupy higher place on this list of best states for civil engineers. The state is one of the most expensive in America. Also, the annual median wage for the occupation is some $3,000 less than the national average. The good thing is that Maryland will experience seventh highest job growth for the occupation.

20. New York

Annual median wage: $85,400

Rank by annual median wage: 8

Job growth: 17.3%

Rank by job growth: 12

Cost of living index: 135.2

Rank by cost of living index: 49

Average ranking: 23

Finally here comes the state where civil engineers are more than well compensated. The annual median wage of $85,400 is above the national average. Also, New York will add some 700 new job posts yearly by 2024. However, it is not cheap to live in New York, and that is the reason why the state did not rank higher on the list of best states for civil engineers.

19. Washington

Annual median wage: $84,660

Rank by annual median wage: 9

Job growth: 12.6%

Rank by job growth: 22

Cost of living index: 107.1

Rank by cost of living index: 37

Average ranking: 22.66

Up next in our list of best states for civil engineers is Washington, which is another high paying state for civil engineers. But what these professionals earn, goes for living expenses, mainly housing. The 12.6% job growth by 2024 means that on average 550 new jobs will be added yearly.

18. Indiana

Annual median wage: $70,210

Rank by annual median wage: 47

Job growth: 14%

Rank by job growth: 18

Cost of living index: 87.9

Rank by cost of living index: 2

Average ranking: 22.33

We are continuing our list of best states for civil engineers with Indiana that’s the second most affordable state in America. However, low costs of living are accompanied by low salary for civil engineers which is $12,000 below the national average.

17. Oklahoma

Annual median wage: $72,960

Rank by annual median wage: 34

Job growth: 11.1%

Rank by job growth: 27

Cost of living index: 88.6

Rank by cost of living index: 5

Average ranking: 22

Like in Indiana, in Oklahoma civil engineers do not earn much but also do not have to worry about the high cost of living. Housing prices are among the most affordable in the US. The state will record 11.1% job growth for the occupation or in other words 110 jobs will be added yearly.

16. Kentucky

Annual median wage: $72,360

Rank by annual median wage: 41

Job growth: 15.3%

Rank by job growth: 15

Cost of living index: 90.8

Rank by cost of living index: 10

Average ranking: 22

Solid employment prospects in the future and low costs of living on one side and median salary below the national average on the other are reasons why Kentucky occupies 16th place on this list of 25 best states for civil engineers.

15. Illinois

Annual median wage: $84,440

Rank by annual median wage: 10

Job growth: 8.8%

Rank by job growth: 34

Cost of living index: 95.5

Rank by cost of living index: 21

Average ranking: 21.66

In Illinois, the next one in our list of best states for civil engineers, civil engineers earn $2,000 more compared to the national average. However, the number of new jobs for the occupation will rise by 8.8%, which is one of the smallest increases among listed places. In terms of costs of living Illinois falls in the middle.

14. Iowa

Annual median wage: $77,150

Rank by annual median wage: 26

Job growth: 13.3%

Rank by job growth: 20

Cost of living index: 91.7

Rank by cost of living index: 15

Average ranking: 20.33

Among three parameters we took into account while creating this list of best states for civil engineers, Iowa ranked the best in terms of costs of living. On the other side, wage is below the national average, while job growth of 13.3% means that there will be 70 new positions per year.

13. Mississippi

Annual median wage: $76,500

Rank by annual median wage: 27

Job growth: 9.5%

Rank by job growth: 31

Cost of living index: 86.0

Rank by cost of living index: 1

Average ranking: 20

Mississippi is the most affordable state in America. The annual median wage of $76,500 is higher compared to some other listed places, but it is still below the national average. Job increase of 9.5% is among the lowest on this list of best states for civil engineers.

12. Nevada

Annual median wage: $83,190

Rank by annual median wage: 12

Job growth: 18.8%

Rank by job growth: 11

Cost of living index: 104.5

Rank by cost of living index: 36

Average ranking: 19.66

Solid earnings and employment prospects are two things that civil engineers can expect in Nevada. Note though that life in Nevada is not cheap.

11. Arizona

Annual median wage: $75,320

Rank by annual median wage: 30

Job growth: 29.4%

Rank by job growth: 3

Cost of living index: 98.1

Rank by cost of living index: 25

Average ranking: 19.33

Arizona will see the third highest employment increase for civil engineers. The number of jobs will go up by 29.4% which means that there will be 300 new openings for the occupation per year. Employment opportunities are the main reason why the state ranked this high on the list of best states for civil engineers. At the same time, median wage is below the national average, and the state is in the middle in terms of costs of living.

10. Georgia

Annual median wage: $77,770

Rank by annual median wage: 25

Job growth: 13.9%

Rank by job growth: 19

Cost of living index: 91.4

Rank by cost of living index: 14

Average ranking: 19.33

Although Georgia has the same average ranking as previously mentioned Arizona it occupies higher place because it offers better wage while it is also one of the cheaper states in America. Additionally, there are solid chances to find a job as a civil engineer in Georgia since the state will record 13.9% job increase for the occupation.

9. Kansas

Annual median wage: $74,770

Rank by annual median wage: 31

Job growth: 15.3%

Rank by job growth: 14

Cost of living index: 90.4

Rank by cost of living index: 8

Average ranking: 17.66

In Kansas, civil engineers earn far less compared to the national average. However, costs of living in Kansas are among the lowest in America, and the state will record 15.3% job growth for the occupation, which is the reason why Kansas ranked high on our list of best states for civil engineers.

8. Louisiana

Annual median wage: $87,890

Rank by annual median wage: 5

Job growth: 11%

Rank by job growth: 28

Cost of living index: 94.4

Rank by cost of living index: 20

Average ranking: 17.66

Louisiana has the same average ranking as Kansas, but it occupies higher place because of the annual median salary which is the fifth highest in America. In addition, Louisiana is moderately expensive to live, so civil engineers can expect comfortable life.

7. Florida

Annual median wage: $78,600

Rank by annual median wage: 20

Job growth: 25.9%

Rank by job growth: 5

Cost of living index: 99.0

Rank by cost of living index: 27

Average ranking: 17.33

For those whose main concern is to quickly find a job as a civil engineer, Florida is the right choice since the state will experience fifth highest job increase by 2024 in America. We should emphasize though that salary which is above the national average might not be sufficient to secure comfortable life in Florida which is not as affordable as some other places on this list of best states for civil engineers.

6. Nebraska

Annual median wage: $78,380

Rank by annual median wage: 22

Job growth: 14.7%

Rank by job growth: 16

Cost of living index: 91.3

Rank by cost of living index: 13

Average ranking: 17

Nebraska is an affordable state so the annual median wage of $78,380 should be enough to make a nice living. Additionally, Nebraska offers solid employment prospects since the number of available jobs will increase by 14.7% by 2024.

5. Colorado

Annual median wage: $80,360

Rank by annual median wage: 18

Job growth: 32.5%

Rank by job growth: 1

Cost of living index: 102.1

Rank by cost of living index: 32

Average ranking: 17

Colorado will record the highest job growth for civil engineers in the US. The increase of 32.5% will account for 420 new jobs per year until 2024. Moreover, the state offers solid paycheck to these professionals which comes in handy since Colorado belongs to the category of expensive places in America.

4. Utah

Annual median wage: $75,800

Rank by annual median wage: 29

Job growth: 29.7%

Rank by job growth: 2

Cost of living index: 92.8

Rank by cost of living index: 17

Average ranking: 16

Utah ranks high on this list of best states for civil engineers because of 29.7% job increase which is second highest growth in America. In terms of other criteria, salary is not as great as in some other places, but on the bright side, you do not need glamorous paycheck to make a living in Utah, which is 17th least expensive state in the US.

3. Idaho

Annual median wage: $73,820

Rank by annual median wage: 33

Job growth: 28.3%

Rank by job growth: 4

Cost of living index: 89.6

Rank by cost of living index: 6

Average ranking: 14.33

Idaho is another place on this list where civil engineers earn far less compared to the national average for the occupation. However low costs of living and job increase have placed the state on the third place in our ranking of best states for civil engineers.

2. Tennessee

Annual median wage: $86,790

Rank by annual median wage: 7

Job growth: 18.9%

Rank by job growth: 10

Cost of living index: 89.8

Rank by cost of living index: 7

Average ranking: 8

Finally, here comes the state where everything falls into place for civil engineers. Salary above the national average, seventh lowest costs of living, and considerable job growth have turned Tennessee into one of the most desirable destinations for civil engineers.

1. Texas

Annual median wage: $87,910

Rank by annual median wage: 4

Job growth: 24%

Rank by job growth: 6

Cost of living index: 90.7

Rank by cost of living index: 9

Average ranking: 6.33

Texas occupies first place among 25 best states for civil engineers for a good reason. The state offers the fourth highest salary to these professionals in America while the job increase of 24% is sixth largest nationwide. Besides great salary and employment opportunities civil engineers can also expect low costs of living, so the annual median wage of almost $88,000 should secure more than comfortable living.