Civil Engineers vs General and Operations Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
General and Operations Managers professionals earn $3,360 more per year than Civil Engineers professionals — that's 3.4% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
General and Operations Managers$47,420 – N/A
$47,420$160,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | General and Operations Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $47,420 | +$18,500 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $67,160 | +$11,630 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $102,950 | $-3,360 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $164,130 | $-35,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $133,120 | $-26,070 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
General and Operations Managers
3,584,420
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 General and Operations Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $162,480 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $152,090 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $151,420 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $149,260 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $141,280 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Civil Engineers or General and Operations Managers?
General and Operations Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $3,360 (3.4% 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 General and Operations Managers?
General and Operations Managers salaries range from $47,420 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $102,950.
How many Civil Engineers and General and Operations Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers positions and 3,584,420 General and Operations Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from General and Operations Managers to Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 while General and Operations Managers earns $102,950. 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