Civil Engineers vs Project Management Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn $1,160 more per year than Civil Engineers professionals — that's 1.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Civil Engineers earns $160,990 compared to $165,790 for Project Management Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Project Management Specialists$59,830 – $165,790
$59,830$165,790
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Project Management Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $59,830 | +$6,090 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $76,950 | +$1,840 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $100,750 | $-1,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $131,660 | $-3,370 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | $165,790 | $-4,800 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $108,100 | $-1,050 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Project Management Specialists
1,006,160
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 Project Management Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $123,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $121,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Civil Engineers or Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $1,160 (1.2% 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 Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists salaries range from $59,830 (10th percentile) to $165,790 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,750.
How many Civil Engineers and Project Management Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers positions and 1,006,160 Project Management Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Project Management Specialists to Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 while Project Management Specialists earns $100,750. 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