Engineering Columbus, GA Pop. 206,922

Civil Engineer Salary in Columbus, Georgia

The median civil engineer salary in Columbus, GA is $77,348 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 7.5% below the Georgia state average.

City Median
$77,348
vs State Avg
$-6,296
vs National
$-12,592
Cost of Living
86%

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

Columbus offers a median civil engineer salary of $77,348, which is $6,296 below the Georgia state average of $83,644. Compared to the national median of $89,940, Columbus pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Columbus's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $77,348 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $89,940 in an average-cost city. This makes Columbus an attractive option for civil engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for civil engineers in Columbus spans from $51,944 at the 10th percentile to $119,196 at the 90th percentile — a $67,252 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $53,320, while senior civil engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $111,800. With a population of 206,922, Columbus is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Civil Engineer Salary in Columbus by Experience

In Columbus, an entry-level civil engineer earns around $53,320, while experienced professionals earn up to $111,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$53,320
$-8,680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$77,400
$-12,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$111,800
$-18,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbus, GA

Percentile Columbus
10th Percentile $51,944
25th Percentile $62,952
Median (50th) $77,348
75th Percentile $98,040
90th Percentile $119,196

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Georgia Cities

Atlanta, GA
$91,739
Pop. 498,715
Savannah, GA
$82,745
Pop. 147,780
Athens, GA
$80,946
Pop. 127,064
Augusta, GA
$79,147
Pop. 202,081

How to Become a Civil Engineer in Columbus

Education

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

Find Civil Engineer Jobs in Columbus

Browse open civil engineer positions in Columbus, GA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Engineer Salary in Columbus

How much does a Civil Engineer make in Columbus, GA? ▼
The median civil engineer salary in Columbus, Georgia is $77,348 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $89,940. Salaries range from $51,944 (10th percentile) to $119,196 (90th percentile).
How much does a Civil Engineer make per hour in Columbus? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $77,348, a civil engineer in Columbus earns approximately $37 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbus compare to the Georgia state average for civil engineer pay? ▼
Columbus's median civil engineer salary of $77,348 is 7.5% below the Georgia state average of $83,644. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbus, GA? ▼
Columbus has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a civil engineer salary of $77,348 in Columbus has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a civil engineer in Columbus? ▼
Most civil engineer positions in Columbus 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.