Civil Engineers vs Human Resources Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Human Resources Managers professionals earn $40,440 more per year than Civil Engineers professionals — that's 40.6% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Human Resources Managers$83,790 – N/A
$65,920$160,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Human Resources Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $83,790 | $-17,870 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $105,590 | $-26,800 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $140,030 | $-40,440 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $189,960 | $-61,670 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $160,480 | $-53,430 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Human Resources Managers
215,520
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 Human Resources Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $176,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $172,970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $161,970 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $155,390 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $147,070 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Civil Engineers or Human Resources Managers?
Human Resources Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $40,440 (40.6% 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 Human Resources Managers?
Human Resources Managers salaries range from $83,790 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $140,030.
How many Civil Engineers and Human Resources Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers positions and 215,520 Human Resources Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Human Resources Managers to Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 while Human Resources Managers earns $140,030. 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