Engineering Erie, PA Pop. 94,831

Civil Engineer Salary in Erie, Pennsylvania

The median civil engineer salary in Erie, PA is $75,550 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 12.5% below the Pennsylvania state average.

City Median
$75,550
vs State Avg
$-10,792
vs National
$-14,390
Cost of Living
84%

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

Erie offers a median civil engineer salary of $75,550, which is $10,792 below the Pennsylvania state average of $86,342. Compared to the national median of $89,940, Erie pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Erie's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 84% of the national average. This means the $75,550 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $89,940 in an average-cost city. This makes Erie an attractive option for civil engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for civil engineers in Erie spans from $50,736 at the 10th percentile to $116,424 at the 90th percentile — a $65,688 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $52,080, while senior civil engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $109,200. Erie is a smaller market (pop. 94,831), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Civil Engineer Salary in Erie by Experience

In Erie, an entry-level civil engineer earns around $52,080, while experienced professionals earn up to $109,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$52,080
$-9,920 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$75,600
$-14,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$109,200
$-20,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Erie, PA

Percentile Erie
10th Percentile $50,736
25th Percentile $61,488
Median (50th) $75,550
75th Percentile $95,760
90th Percentile $116,424

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Pennsylvania Cities

Philadelphia, PA
$91,739
Pop. 1,603,797
Allentown, PA
$84,544
Pop. 126,092
Pittsburgh, PA
$83,644
Pop. 302,971
Reading, PA
$79,147
Pop. 95,112

How to Become a Civil Engineer in Erie

Education

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

Find Civil Engineer Jobs in Erie

Browse open civil engineer positions in Erie, PA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Engineer Salary in Erie

How much does a Civil Engineer make in Erie, PA? ▼
The median civil engineer salary in Erie, Pennsylvania is $75,550 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $89,940. Salaries range from $50,736 (10th percentile) to $116,424 (90th percentile).
How much does a Civil Engineer make per hour in Erie? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $75,550, a civil engineer in Erie earns approximately $36 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Erie compare to the Pennsylvania state average for civil engineer pay? ▼
Erie's median civil engineer salary of $75,550 is 12.5% below the Pennsylvania state average of $86,342. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Erie, PA? ▼
Erie has a cost of living index of 84% compared to the national average. This means a civil engineer salary of $75,550 in Erie has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a civil engineer in Erie? ▼
Most civil engineer positions in Erie 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.