Civil Engineer Salary in Washington, DC
Civil Engineers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $101,780 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $74,749 take-home, or $6,229 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median civil engineer salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,562
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,310
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,476
- District of Columbia income tax$5,683
- Take-home pay$74,749
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Civil Engineer pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,970 | $37.49 | $60,023 | $5,002 |
| 25th percentile | $84,590 | $40.67 | $64,117 | $5,343 |
| Median (50th) | $101,780 | $48.93 | $74,749 | $6,229 |
| 75th percentile | $129,830 | $62.42 | $91,938 | $7,661 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,990 | $76.92 | $109,989 | $9,166 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $101,780 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median civil engineer's $74,749 take-home pay has the buying power of $68,651 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 Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.14).
Best-paying cities for civil engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #116 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 |
| 116 | Washington, DC | $101,780 | $74,749 | $68,651 |
*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 Washington, DC?
The median civil engineer salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $101,780 a year, or about $48.93 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $84,590 and $129,830.
What is a civil engineer’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $101,780 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $74,749 a year ($6,229 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,683 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $100,840. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $68,651 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #116 of 125 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a civil engineer afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 32% of a median civil engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Nuclear Engineer — $180,360
- Aerospace Engineer — $166,420
- Marine Engineer and Naval Architect — $159,700
- Computer Hardware Engineer — $159,480
- Engineers, All Other — $151,340
- Materials Engineer — $140,640
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $140,000
- Chemical Engineer — $132,820
- Mechanical Engineer — $126,990
- Electrical Engineer — $126,420
- Environmental Engineer — $120,580
- Industrial Engineer — $117,600