Engineering Houston, TX Pop. 2,304,580

Civil Engineer Salary in Houston, Texas

The median civil engineer salary in Houston, TX is $86,342 per year, which is 4% below the national median and 4.3% above the Texas state average.

City Median
$86,342
vs State Avg
+$3,597
vs National
$-3,598
Cost of Living
96%

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

Houston offers a median civil engineer salary of $86,342, which is $3,597 above the Texas state average of $82,745. Compared to the national median of $89,940, Houston pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Houston's cost of living is 96% 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 Houston spans from $57,984 at the 10th percentile to $133,056 at the 90th percentile — a $75,072 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $59,520, while senior civil engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $124,800. As a major metro area with a population of 2,304,580, Houston typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Civil Engineer Salary in Houston by Experience

In Houston, an entry-level civil engineer earns around $59,520, while experienced professionals earn up to $124,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 96% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$59,520
$-2,480 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$86,400
$-3,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$124,800
$-5,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Houston, TX

Percentile Houston
10th Percentile $57,984
25th Percentile $70,272
Median (50th) $86,342
75th Percentile $109,440
90th Percentile $133,056

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Texas Cities

Austin, TX
$94,437
Pop. 978,908
Dallas, TX
$89,940
Pop. 1,304,379
Fort Worth, TX
$82,745
Pop. 918,915
San Antonio, TX
$79,147
Pop. 1,434,625

How to Become a Civil Engineer in Houston

Education

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

Find Civil Engineer Jobs in Houston

Browse open civil engineer positions in Houston, TX:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Engineer Salary in Houston

How much does a Civil Engineer make in Houston, TX? ▼
The median civil engineer salary in Houston, Texas is $86,342 per year, which is 4% below the national median of $89,940. Salaries range from $57,984 (10th percentile) to $133,056 (90th percentile).
How much does a Civil Engineer make per hour in Houston? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $86,342, a civil engineer in Houston earns approximately $42 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Houston compare to the Texas state average for civil engineer pay? ▼
Houston's median civil engineer salary of $86,342 is 4.3% above the Texas state average of $82,745. The local cost of living index is 96% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Houston, TX? ▼
Houston has a cost of living index of 96% compared to the national average. This means a civil engineer salary of $86,342 in Houston has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a civil engineer in Houston? ▼
Most civil engineer positions in Houston 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.