Civil Engineers vs Web Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Civil Engineers professionals earn $8,660 more per year than Web Developers professionals — that's 9.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Civil Engineers earns $160,990 compared to $162,870 for Web Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Web Developers$48,560 – $162,870
$48,560$162,870
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Web Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $48,560 | +$17,360 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $63,140 | +$15,650 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $90,930 | +$8,660 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $124,300 | +$3,990 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | $162,870 | $-1,880 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $98,790 | +$8,260 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Web Developers
78,860
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 Web Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $161,750 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $157,490 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $126,040 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $120,750 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $117,560 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Civil Engineers or Web Developers?
Civil Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $8,660 (9.5% 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 Web Developers?
Web Developers salaries range from $48,560 (10th percentile) to $162,870 (90th percentile), with a median of $90,930.
How many Civil Engineers and Web Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers positions and 78,860 Web Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Web Developers to Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 while Web Developers earns $90,930. 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