Civil Engineer Salary in Tucson, AZ
Civil Engineers in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median $81,490 a year — 19% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $64,330 take-home, or $5,361 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median civil engineer salary in Tucson, AZ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,098
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,052
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,182
- Arizona income tax$1,829
- Take-home pay$64,330
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 2.50% state
Civil Engineer pay by experience in Tucson, AZ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,850 | $29.74 | $50,539 | $4,212 |
| 25th percentile | $72,010 | $34.62 | $57,898 | $4,825 |
| Median (50th) | $81,490 | $39.18 | $64,330 | $5,361 |
| 75th percentile | $105,800 | $50.87 | $80,824 | $6,735 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,430 | $63.67 | $98,680 | $8,223 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arizona resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $81,490 buys in Tucson, AZ
Prices in Tucson, AZ are 3.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 8% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median civil engineer's $64,330 take-home pay has the buying power of $66,390 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 Tucson, AZ as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.82).
Best-paying cities for civil engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Tucson, AZ ranks #123 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 |
| 123 | Tucson, AZ | $81,490 | $64,330 | $66,390 |
*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 Arizona
- Phoenix, AZ — $90,330
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Tucson, AZ?
The median civil engineer salary in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $81,490 a year, or about $39.18 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $72,010 and $105,800.
What is a civil engineer’s take-home pay in Tucson, AZ?
On the median $81,490 salary, a single filer living in Arizona takes home about $64,330 a year ($5,361 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,829 in Arizona taxes in 2026.
Is Tucson, AZ a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Pay here is 19% below the national median of $100,840. Local prices are 3.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $66,390 would in a typical U.S. city. Tucson, AZ ranks #123 of 125 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a civil engineer afford rent in Tucson, AZ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Tucson, AZ is $1,081 a month ($1,402 for two bedrooms) — 20% of a median civil engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
- Electrical Engineer — $117,470
- Aerospace Engineer — $106,760
- Mechanical Engineer — $99,750
- Industrial Engineer — $95,700
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $75,460