Civil Engineers vs Customer Service Representatives: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Civil Engineers professionals earn $56,760 more per year than Customer Service Representatives professionals — that's 132.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Civil Engineers earns $160,990 compared to $62,730 for Customer Service Representatives.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Customer Service Representatives$30,690 – $62,730
$30,690$160,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Customer Service Representatives | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $30,690 | +$35,230 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $35,970 | +$42,820 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $42,830 | +$56,760 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $50,140 | +$78,150 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | $62,730 | +$98,260 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $45,380 | +$61,670 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Customer Service Representatives
2,725,930
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Civil Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $130,310 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $129,260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $126,560 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $109,250 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $108,010 |
Best Cities for Customer Service Representatives
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $60,830 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $56,400 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $51,090 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $49,060 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $48,890 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Civil Engineers or Customer Service Representatives?
Civil Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $56,760 (132.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Civil Engineers?
Civil Engineers salaries range from $65,920 (10th percentile) to $160,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $99,590.
What is the salary range for Customer Service Representatives?
Customer Service Representatives salaries range from $30,690 (10th percentile) to $62,730 (90th percentile), with a median of $42,830.
How many Civil Engineers and Customer Service Representatives jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers positions and 2,725,930 Customer Service Representatives positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Customer Service Representatives to Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 while Customer Service Representatives earns $42,830. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS