Civil Engineer Salary in Milwaukee, WI
Civil Engineers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median $96,190 a year — 5% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $72,782 take-home, or $6,065 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median civil engineer salary in Milwaukee, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,332
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,964
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,395
- Wisconsin income tax$3,718
- Take-home pay$72,782
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.30% state
Civil Engineer pay by experience in Milwaukee, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,850 | $32.62 | $54,347 | $4,529 |
| 25th percentile | $77,310 | $37.17 | $60,501 | $5,042 |
| Median (50th) | $96,190 | $46.25 | $72,782 | $6,065 |
| 75th percentile | $112,610 | $54.14 | $83,463 | $6,955 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,040 | $63.00 | $95,267 | $7,939 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $96,190 buys in Milwaukee, WI
Prices in Milwaukee, WI are 3.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 3% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median civil engineer's $72,782 take-home pay has the buying power of $75,082 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Milwaukee, WI has 1.2× the national concentration of civil engineer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for civil engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Milwaukee, WI ranks #77 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 |
| 77 | Milwaukee, WI | $96,190 | $72,782 | $75,082 |
*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 Wisconsin
- Madison, WI — $99,010
- Green Bay, WI — $93,660
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Milwaukee, WI?
The median civil engineer salary in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $96,190 a year, or about $46.25 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $77,310 and $112,610.
What is a civil engineer’s take-home pay in Milwaukee, WI?
On the median $96,190 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $72,782 a year ($6,065 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,718 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Milwaukee, WI a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Pay here is 5% below the national median of $100,840. Local prices are 3.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $75,082 would in a typical U.S. city. Milwaukee, WI ranks #77 of 125 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a civil engineer afford rent in Milwaukee, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Milwaukee, WI is $1,119 a month ($1,338 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 Milwaukee, WI
- Industrial Engineer — $100,020
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $99,680
- Electrical Engineer — $98,950
- Mechanical Engineer — $98,730
- Civil Engineering Technologist and Technician — $76,200
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $74,660
- Mechanical Drafter — $69,150
- Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician — $65,270
- Architectural and Civil Drafter — $61,960