Civil Engineer Salary in Virginia Beach, VA
Civil Engineers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median $94,680 a year — 6% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $70,807 take-home, or $5,901 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median civil engineer salary in Virginia Beach, VA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,000
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,870
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,373
- Virginia income tax$4,630
- Take-home pay$70,807
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.75% state
The Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro spans Virginia, North Carolina. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Civil Engineer pay by experience in Virginia Beach, VA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,770 | $31.62 | $52,059 | $4,338 |
| 25th percentile | $76,850 | $36.95 | $59,289 | $4,941 |
| Median (50th) | $94,680 | $45.52 | $70,807 | $5,901 |
| 75th percentile | $118,260 | $56.86 | $86,040 | $7,170 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,510 | $65.63 | $97,535 | $8,128 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Virginia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $94,680 buys in Virginia Beach, VA
Prices in Virginia Beach, VA are 2.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 0% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median civil engineer's $70,807 take-home pay has the buying power of $72,296 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 Virginia Beach, VA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.10).
Best-paying cities for civil engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Virginia Beach, VA ranks #99 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 |
| 99 | Virginia Beach, VA | $94,680 | $70,807 | $72,296 |
*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 Virginia
- Richmond, VA — $91,300
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Virginia Beach, VA?
The median civil engineer salary in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $94,680 a year, or about $45.52 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $76,850 and $118,260.
What is a civil engineer’s take-home pay in Virginia Beach, VA?
On the median $94,680 salary, a single filer living in Virginia takes home about $70,807 a year ($5,901 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,630 in Virginia taxes in 2026.
Is Virginia Beach, VA a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Pay here is 6% below the national median of $100,840. Local prices are 2.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $72,296 would in a typical U.S. city. Virginia Beach, VA ranks #99 of 125 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a civil engineer afford rent in Virginia Beach, VA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Virginia Beach, VA is $1,508 a month ($1,708 for two bedrooms) — 26% of a median civil engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach, VA
- Aerospace Engineer — $139,010
- Engineers, All Other — $138,590
- Nuclear Engineer — $110,510
- Electrical Engineer — $103,210
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $102,060
- Industrial Engineer — $101,500
- Mechanical Engineer — $100,280
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $96,870
- Surveying and Mapping Technician — $57,760