Engineering Birmingham, AL Pop. 197,575

Civil Engineer Salary in Birmingham, Alabama

The median civil engineer salary in Birmingham, AL is $80,946 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 3.4% above the Alabama state average.

City Median
$80,946
vs State Avg
+$2,698
vs National
$-8,994
Cost of Living
90%

Civil Engineer Pay in Birmingham: What to Expect (2026)

Birmingham offers a median civil engineer salary of $80,946, which is $2,698 above the Alabama state average of $78,248. Compared to the national median of $89,940, Birmingham pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Birmingham's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for civil engineers in Birmingham spans from $54,360 at the 10th percentile to $124,740 at the 90th percentile — a $70,380 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $55,800, while senior civil engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $117,000. With a population of 197,575, Birmingham is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Civil Engineer Salary in Birmingham by Experience

In Birmingham, an entry-level civil engineer earns around $55,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $117,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$55,800
$-6,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$81,000
$-9,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$117,000
$-13,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Birmingham, AL

Percentile Birmingham
10th Percentile $54,360
25th Percentile $65,880
Median (50th) $80,946
75th Percentile $102,600
90th Percentile $124,740

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Alabama Cities

Huntsville, AL
$82,745
Pop. 216,963
Tuscaloosa, AL
$79,147
Pop. 101,129
Montgomery, AL
$77,348
Pop. 200,603
Mobile, AL
$76,449
Pop. 187,041

How to Become a Civil Engineer in Birmingham

Education

Most civil engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Birmingham and the surrounding Alabama area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

AutoCADStructural AnalysisProject ManagementGISConstruction ManagementPE License

Job Outlook

Nationally, civil engineer employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Birmingham may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Civil Engineer Jobs in Birmingham

Browse open civil engineer positions in Birmingham, AL:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Engineer Salary in Birmingham

How much does a Civil Engineer make in Birmingham, AL? ▼
The median civil engineer salary in Birmingham, Alabama is $80,946 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $89,940. Salaries range from $54,360 (10th percentile) to $124,740 (90th percentile).
How much does a Civil Engineer make per hour in Birmingham? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $80,946, a civil engineer in Birmingham earns approximately $39 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Birmingham compare to the Alabama state average for civil engineer pay? ▼
Birmingham's median civil engineer salary of $80,946 is 3.4% above the Alabama state average of $78,248. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Birmingham, AL? ▼
Birmingham has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a civil engineer salary of $80,946 in Birmingham has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a civil engineer in Birmingham? ▼
Most civil engineer positions in Birmingham require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include AutoCAD, Structural Analysis, Project Management, GIS. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.