Civil Engineer Salary in Raleigh, NC
Civil Engineers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $101,440 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $76,654 take-home, or $6,388 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median civil engineer salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,487
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,289
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,471
- North Carolina income tax$3,539
- Take-home pay$76,654
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
Civil Engineer pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,170 | $35.66 | $58,558 | $4,880 |
| 25th percentile | $79,840 | $38.38 | $62,321 | $5,193 |
| Median (50th) | $101,440 | $48.77 | $76,654 | $6,388 |
| 75th percentile | $127,280 | $61.19 | $93,692 | $7,808 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $163,710 | $78.71 | $117,138 | $9,762 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $101,440 buys in Raleigh, NC
Prices in Raleigh, NC are 1.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median civil engineer's $76,654 take-home pay has the buying power of $78,094 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Raleigh, NC has 2.6× 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
Raleigh, NC ranks #58 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 |
| 58 | Raleigh, NC | $101,440 | $76,654 | $78,094 |
*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
- Charlotte, NC — $102,370
- Greensboro, NC — $93,460
- Wilmington, NC — $94,450
- Durham, NC — $93,940
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Raleigh, NC?
The median civil engineer salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $101,440 a year, or about $48.77 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $79,840 and $127,280.
What is a civil engineer’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $101,440 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $76,654 a year ($6,388 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,539 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $100,840. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $78,094 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #58 of 125 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a civil engineer afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Raleigh, NC is $1,596 a month ($1,750 for two bedrooms) — 25% of a median civil engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $162,800
- Electrical Engineer — $130,240
- Engineers, All Other — $104,910
- Industrial Engineer — $104,030
- Mechanical Engineer — $100,000
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $91,570
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $72,640
- Architectural and Civil Drafter — $65,840
- Civil Engineering Technologist and Technician — $60,720
- Surveying and Mapping Technician — $49,150