Civil Engineer Salary in Charlotte, NC
Civil Engineers in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median $102,370 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $77,271 take-home, or $6,439 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median civil engineer salary in Charlotte, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,691
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,347
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,484
- North Carolina income tax$3,576
- Take-home pay$77,271
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro spans North Carolina, South Carolina. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Civil Engineer pay by experience in Charlotte, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,790 | $35.48 | $58,306 | $4,859 |
| 25th percentile | $79,280 | $38.12 | $61,949 | $5,162 |
| Median (50th) | $102,370 | $49.22 | $77,271 | $6,439 |
| 75th percentile | $129,680 | $62.35 | $95,237 | $7,936 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,990 | $79.32 | $117,962 | $9,830 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $102,370 buys in Charlotte, NC
Prices in Charlotte, NC are 2.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 2% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median civil engineer's $77,271 take-home pay has the buying power of $79,377 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Civil Engineer jobs are about as common in Charlotte, NC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.16).
Best-paying cities for civil engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Charlotte, NC ranks #48 of 125 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kennewick, WA | $121,370 | $94,214 | $94,139 |
| 2 | Baton Rouge, LA | $112,430 | $84,938 | $93,565 |
| 3 | Mobile, AL | $107,810 | $79,549 | $90,296 |
| 4 | New Orleans, LA | $108,240 | $82,116 | $88,681 |
| 5 | Sioux Falls, SD | $99,700 | $78,969 | $87,132 |
| 6 | Tulsa, OK | $102,080 | $76,595 | $85,856 |
| 7 | Sacramento, CA | $130,150 | $90,657 | $84,988 |
| 8 | Beaumont, TX | $95,510 | $76,021 | $84,425 |
| 48 | Charlotte, NC | $102,370 | $77,271 | $79,377 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 125 metros →
Civil Engineer salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Raleigh, NC — $101,440
- Greensboro, NC — $93,460
- Wilmington, NC — $94,450
- Durham, NC — $93,940
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Charlotte, NC?
The median civil engineer salary in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $102,370 a year, or about $49.22 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $79,280 and $129,680.
What is a civil engineer’s take-home pay in Charlotte, NC?
On the median $102,370 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $77,271 a year ($6,439 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,576 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Charlotte, NC a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Pay here is 2% above the national median of $100,840. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $79,377 would in a typical U.S. city. Charlotte, NC ranks #48 of 125 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a civil engineer afford rent in Charlotte, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Charlotte, NC is $1,428 a month ($1,577 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median civil engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Charlotte, NC
- Engineers, All Other — $118,230
- Electrical Engineer — $103,360
- Industrial Engineer — $102,090
- Mechanical Engineer — $101,950
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $98,620
- Surveyor — $76,710
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $74,760
- Architectural and Civil Drafter — $63,940
- Surveying and Mapping Technician — $58,480
- Civil Engineering Technologist and Technician — $50,250