Engineering Cleveland, OH Pop. 372,624

Civil Engineer Salary in Cleveland, Ohio

The median civil engineer salary in Cleveland, OH is $77,348 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Ohio state average.

City Median
$77,348
vs State Avg
$-3,598
vs National
$-12,592
Cost of Living
86%

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

Cleveland offers a median civil engineer salary of $77,348, which is $3,598 below the Ohio state average of $80,946. Compared to the national median of $89,940, Cleveland pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Cleveland'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 Cleveland an attractive option for civil engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for civil engineers in Cleveland 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 372,624, Cleveland is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Civil Engineer Salary in Cleveland by Experience

In Cleveland, 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 Cleveland, OH

Percentile Cleveland
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 Ohio Cities

Columbus, OH
$85,443
Pop. 905,748
Cincinnati, OH
$80,946
Pop. 309,317
Akron, OH
$75,550
Pop. 190,469
Toledo, OH
$73,751
Pop. 270,871

How to Become a Civil Engineer in Cleveland

Education

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

Find Civil Engineer Jobs in Cleveland

Browse open civil engineer positions in Cleveland, OH:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Engineer Salary in Cleveland

How much does a Civil Engineer make in Cleveland, OH? ▼
The median civil engineer salary in Cleveland, Ohio 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 Cleveland? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $77,348, a civil engineer in Cleveland earns approximately $37 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cleveland compare to the Ohio state average for civil engineer pay? ▼
Cleveland's median civil engineer salary of $77,348 is 4.4% below the Ohio state average of $80,946. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cleveland, OH? ▼
Cleveland has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a civil engineer salary of $77,348 in Cleveland has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a civil engineer in Cleveland? ▼
Most civil engineer positions in Cleveland 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.