Civil Engineers vs Financial Risk Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Financial Risk Specialists professionals earn $6,410 more per year than Civil Engineers professionals — that's 6.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Civil Engineers earns $160,990 compared to $182,310 for Financial Risk Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Financial Risk Specialists$62,270 – $182,310
$62,270$182,310
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Financial Risk Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $62,270 | +$3,650 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $80,280 | $-1,490 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $106,000 | $-6,410 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $145,020 | $-16,730 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | $182,310 | $-21,320 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $119,930 | $-12,880 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Financial Risk Specialists
56,320
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 Financial Risk Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $141,960 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $140,050 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $137,420 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $130,750 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $128,440 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Civil Engineers or Financial Risk Specialists?
Financial Risk Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $6,410 (6.4% 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 Financial Risk Specialists?
Financial Risk Specialists salaries range from $62,270 (10th percentile) to $182,310 (90th percentile), with a median of $106,000.
How many Civil Engineers and Financial Risk Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers positions and 56,320 Financial Risk Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Financial Risk Specialists to Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 while Financial Risk Specialists earns $106,000. 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