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Civil Engineering Salary in Ohio: Is It a Good Career?

Ohio · 2026 BLS salary data

Civil Engineering pay in Ohio

The median wage is $96,220/yr — 5% below the national median. Among U.S. states, Ohioranks #39 of 51 states by median pay.

The numbers in Ohio

Real BLS state-level figures for Civil Engineering.

Median salary
$96,220/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$77,820 – $124,930
National median
$100,840/yr
Employed in Ohio
10,560

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in Ohio

Salary alone can mislead — Ohio costs 7% less than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
92.8
Nominal median
$96,220
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $103,685
State income tax
Up to 3.5%

Because Ohio costs 7% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #19 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #39 on raw salary.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions; some localities also levy income tax.

FAQ

How much do civil engineering professionals make in Ohio?

The median annual wage is $96,220 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $77,820 and $124,930. That's 5% below the national median.

Is Ohio a good state for civil engineering?

By raw pay, Ohio ranks #39 of 51 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (Ohio costs 7% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $103,685. Because Ohio costs 7% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #19 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #39 on raw salary.

Are civil engineering professionals in demand in Ohio?

About 10,560 people work in this field in Ohio (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +5.0% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Civil Engineering nationally — Ohio pay is 5% below the national median. See the full Civil Engineering career guide →

The verdict

Yes — civil engineering offers strong, stable pay from a bachelor's degree with steady infrastructure-driven demand. It's less lucrative than software but far more stable, with a clear PE-license ladder.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Strong, stable pay from a bachelor's degree
  • Steady demand (infrastructure, construction, water)
  • Clear PE-license ladder that raises pay
  • Tangible, real-world impact
  • Recession-resistant public-sector options

Cons

  • Lower ceiling than software or finance
  • PE licensure requires exams and experience
  • Some site work and travel
  • Project timelines can mean deadline pressure
  • Slower pay growth than tech

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • People who like math, structures, and real-world impact
  • Those wanting stable pay without grad school
  • Anyone drawn to infrastructure work

✗ Probably not if…

  • People chasing maximum earnings
  • Those wanting fully remote work

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Civil Engineering is worth it — titles link to the original threads.