Civil Engineers vs Data Scientists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $13,000 more per year than Civil Engineers professionals — that's 13.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Civil Engineers earns $160,990 compared to $194,410 for Data Scientists.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
$63,650$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Data Scientists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $63,650 | +$2,270 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $82,630 | $-3,840 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $112,590 | $-13,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $155,810 | $-27,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | $194,410 | $-33,420 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $124,590 | $-17,540 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Data Scientists
233,440
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 Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Civil Engineers or Data Scientists?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $13,000 (13.1% 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 Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
How many Civil Engineers and Data Scientists jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers positions and 233,440 Data Scientists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Data Scientists to Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 while Data Scientists earns $112,590. 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