Civil Engineer Salary in Dayton, OH
Civil Engineers in the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH metro area earn a median $95,270 a year — 6% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $74,015 take-home, or $6,168 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median civil engineer salary in Dayton, OH. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,129
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,907
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,381
- Ohio income tax$1,838
- Take-home pay$74,015
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 2.75% state
Civil Engineer pay by experience in Dayton, OH
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,610 | $25.29 | $43,788 | $3,649 |
| 25th percentile | $77,640 | $37.33 | $62,097 | $5,175 |
| Median (50th) | $95,270 | $45.80 | $74,015 | $6,168 |
| 75th percentile | $127,150 | $61.13 | $95,459 | $7,955 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,760 | $76.81 | $116,851 | $9,738 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Ohio resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $95,270 buys in Dayton, OH
Prices in Dayton, OH are 7.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 27% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median civil engineer's $74,015 take-home pay has the buying power of $79,849 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 Dayton, OH as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.96).
Best-paying cities for civil engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Dayton, OH ranks #43 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 |
| 43 | Dayton, OH | $95,270 | $74,015 | $79,849 |
*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
- Columbus, OH — $99,010
- Cincinnati, OH — $98,220
- Cleveland, OH — $96,190
- Akron, OH — $94,450
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Dayton, OH?
The median civil engineer salary in the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH metro area is $95,270 a year, or about $45.80 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $77,640 and $127,150.
What is a civil engineer’s take-home pay in Dayton, OH?
On the median $95,270 salary, a single filer living in Ohio takes home about $74,015 a year ($6,168 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,838 in Ohio taxes in 2026.
Is Dayton, OH a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Pay here is 6% below the national median of $100,840. Local prices are 7.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $79,849 would in a typical U.S. city. Dayton, OH ranks #43 of 125 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a civil engineer afford rent in Dayton, OH?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Dayton, OH is $1,009 a month ($1,273 for two bedrooms) — 16% of a median civil engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Dayton, OH
- Engineers, All Other — $142,080
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $135,000
- Aerospace Engineer — $129,410
- Electrical Engineer — $103,720
- Mechanical Engineer — $101,180
- Industrial Engineer — $99,550