Civil Engineer Salary in Columbus, OH
Civil Engineers in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median $99,010 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $76,543 take-home, or $6,379 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median civil engineer salary in Columbus, OH. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,952
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,139
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,436
- Ohio income tax$1,940
- Take-home pay$76,543
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 2.75% state
Civil Engineer pay by experience in Columbus, OH
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,340 | $32.86 | $55,810 | $4,651 |
| 25th percentile | $78,620 | $37.80 | $62,759 | $5,230 |
| Median (50th) | $99,010 | $47.60 | $76,543 | $6,379 |
| 75th percentile | $127,940 | $61.51 | $95,977 | $7,998 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $169,390 | $81.44 | $123,168 | $10,264 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Ohio resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $99,010 buys in Columbus, OH
Prices in Columbus, OH are 4.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 12% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median civil engineer's $76,543 take-home pay has the buying power of $80,176 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 Columbus, OH as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.01).
Best-paying cities for civil engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Columbus, OH ranks #42 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 |
| 42 | Columbus, OH | $99,010 | $76,543 | $80,176 |
*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 Ohio
- Toledo, OH — $96,300
- Dayton, OH — $95,270
- Cincinnati, OH — $98,220
- Cleveland, OH — $96,190
- Akron, OH — $94,450
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Columbus, OH?
The median civil engineer salary in the Columbus, OH metro area is $99,010 a year, or about $47.60 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $78,620 and $127,940.
What is a civil engineer’s take-home pay in Columbus, OH?
On the median $99,010 salary, a single filer living in Ohio takes home about $76,543 a year ($6,379 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,940 in Ohio taxes in 2026.
Is Columbus, OH a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $100,840. Local prices are 4.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $80,176 would in a typical U.S. city. Columbus, OH ranks #42 of 125 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a civil engineer afford rent in Columbus, OH?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Columbus, OH is $1,179 a month ($1,416 for two bedrooms) — 18% of a median civil engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
- Electrical Engineer — $102,380
- Mechanical Engineer — $100,730
- Industrial Engineer — $100,570
- Engineers, All Other — $99,180
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $99,140
- Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician — $76,530
- Architectural and Civil Drafter — $61,310
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $60,260