Engineering Milwaukee, WI Pop. 577,222

Civil Engineer Salary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The median civil engineer salary in Milwaukee, WI is $82,745 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 0.0% above the Wisconsin state average.

City Median
$82,745
vs State Avg
+$0
vs National
$-7,195
Cost of Living
92%

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

Milwaukee offers a median civil engineer salary of $82,745, which is $0 above the Wisconsin state average of $82,745. Compared to the national median of $89,940, Milwaukee pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Milwaukee's cost of living is 92% 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 Milwaukee spans from $55,568 at the 10th percentile to $127,512 at the 90th percentile — a $71,944 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $57,040, while senior civil engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $119,600. As a major metro area with a population of 577,222, Milwaukee typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Civil Engineer Salary in Milwaukee by Experience

In Milwaukee, an entry-level civil engineer earns around $57,040, while experienced professionals earn up to $119,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$57,040
$-4,960 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$82,800
$-7,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$119,600
$-10,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Milwaukee, WI

Percentile Milwaukee
10th Percentile $55,568
25th Percentile $67,344
Median (50th) $82,745
75th Percentile $104,880
90th Percentile $127,512

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Wisconsin Cities

Madison, WI
$89,940
Pop. 269,840
Kenosha, WI
$80,946
Pop. 99,986
Green Bay, WI
$79,147
Pop. 107,395
Racine, WI
$77,348
Pop. 77,816

How to Become a Civil Engineer in Milwaukee

Education

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

Find Civil Engineer Jobs in Milwaukee

Browse open civil engineer positions in Milwaukee, WI:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Engineer Salary in Milwaukee

How much does a Civil Engineer make in Milwaukee, WI? ▼
The median civil engineer salary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is $82,745 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $89,940. Salaries range from $55,568 (10th percentile) to $127,512 (90th percentile).
How much does a Civil Engineer make per hour in Milwaukee? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $82,745, a civil engineer in Milwaukee earns approximately $40 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Milwaukee compare to the Wisconsin state average for civil engineer pay? ▼
Milwaukee's median civil engineer salary of $82,745 is 0.0% above the Wisconsin state average of $82,745. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Milwaukee, WI? ▼
Milwaukee has a cost of living index of 92% compared to the national average. This means a civil engineer salary of $82,745 in Milwaukee has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a civil engineer in Milwaukee? ▼
Most civil engineer positions in Milwaukee 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.