Engineering Tuscaloosa, AL Pop. 101,129

Civil Engineer Salary in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

The median civil engineer salary in Tuscaloosa, AL is $79,147 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 1.1% above the Alabama state average.

City Median
$79,147
vs State Avg
+$899
vs National
$-10,793
Cost of Living
88%

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

Tuscaloosa offers a median civil engineer salary of $79,147, which is $899 above the Alabama state average of $78,248. Compared to the national median of $89,940, Tuscaloosa pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Tuscaloosa's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $79,147 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $89,940 in an average-cost city. This makes Tuscaloosa an attractive option for civil engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for civil engineers in Tuscaloosa spans from $53,152 at the 10th percentile to $121,968 at the 90th percentile — a $68,816 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $54,560, while senior civil engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $114,400. With a population of 101,129, Tuscaloosa is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Civil Engineer Salary in Tuscaloosa by Experience

In Tuscaloosa, an entry-level civil engineer earns around $54,560, while experienced professionals earn up to $114,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$54,560
$-7,440 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$79,200
$-10,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$114,400
$-15,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Tuscaloosa, AL

Percentile Tuscaloosa
10th Percentile $53,152
25th Percentile $64,416
Median (50th) $79,147
75th Percentile $100,320
90th Percentile $121,968

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Alabama Cities

Huntsville, AL
$82,745
Pop. 216,963
Birmingham, AL
$80,946
Pop. 197,575
Montgomery, AL
$77,348
Pop. 200,603
Mobile, AL
$76,449
Pop. 187,041

How to Become a Civil Engineer in Tuscaloosa

Education

Most civil engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Civil Engineer Jobs in Tuscaloosa

Browse open civil engineer positions in Tuscaloosa, AL:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Engineer Salary in Tuscaloosa

How much does a Civil Engineer make in Tuscaloosa, AL? ▼
The median civil engineer salary in Tuscaloosa, Alabama is $79,147 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $89,940. Salaries range from $53,152 (10th percentile) to $121,968 (90th percentile).
How much does a Civil Engineer make per hour in Tuscaloosa? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $79,147, a civil engineer in Tuscaloosa earns approximately $38 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Tuscaloosa compare to the Alabama state average for civil engineer pay? ▼
Tuscaloosa's median civil engineer salary of $79,147 is 1.1% above the Alabama state average of $78,248. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Tuscaloosa, AL? ▼
Tuscaloosa has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a civil engineer salary of $79,147 in Tuscaloosa has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a civil engineer in Tuscaloosa? ▼
Most civil engineer positions in Tuscaloosa 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.