Civil Engineer Salary in Providence, RI
Civil Engineers in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area earn a median $99,310 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $75,579 take-home, or $6,298 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median civil engineer salary in Providence, RI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,018
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,157
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,440
- Rhode Island income tax$3,115
- Take-home pay$75,579
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.75% state
The Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro spans Rhode Island, Massachusetts. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Civil Engineer pay by experience in Providence, RI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,990 | $36.53 | $60,056 | $5,005 |
| 25th percentile | $79,090 | $38.02 | $62,121 | $5,177 |
| Median (50th) | $99,310 | $47.75 | $75,579 | $6,298 |
| 75th percentile | $134,810 | $64.81 | $98,607 | $8,217 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $150,800 | $72.50 | $108,777 | $9,065 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Rhode Island resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $99,310 buys in Providence, RI
Prices in Providence, RI are 1.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.04× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median civil engineer's $75,579 take-home pay has the buying power of $74,263 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 Providence, RI as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.92).
Best-paying cities for civil engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Providence, RI ranks #82 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 |
| 82 | Providence, RI | $99,310 | $75,579 | $74,263 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 125 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Providence, RI?
The median civil engineer salary in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area is $99,310 a year, or about $47.75 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $79,090 and $134,810.
What is a civil engineer’s take-home pay in Providence, RI?
On the median $99,310 salary, a single filer living in Rhode Island takes home about $75,579 a year ($6,298 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,115 in Rhode Island taxes in 2026.
Is Providence, RI a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $100,840. Local prices are 1.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $74,263 would in a typical U.S. city. Providence, RI ranks #82 of 125 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a civil engineer afford rent in Providence, RI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Providence, RI is $1,423 a month ($1,774 for two bedrooms) — 23% of a median civil engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Providence, RI
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $132,870
- Computer Hardware Engineer — $125,060
- Electrical Engineer — $114,710
- Mechanical Engineer — $111,360
- Industrial Engineer — $106,290
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $105,300
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $82,240