Civil Engineer.
Richmond.
$84,000
median salary, 2% below the national average
$67,000 to $110,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
The median Civil Engineer salary in Richmond is $84,000, 2% below the national average. Entry level starts near $67,000. Experienced professionals push past $110,000. Richmond combines a strong government and defense sector with growing technology and financial services industries. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $75,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$55,000
to $67,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$71,000
to $88,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$92,000
to $109,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$105,000
to $130,000
Salary trend
+2% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $23,000 to the total package.
Base
$84,000
Equity
$13,000
Bonus
$8,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $107,000
How Richmond compares
Richmond, VA
$84,000
Cost of living: 1% above average
National Average
$86,000
Richmond is $2,000 below
Civil Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in Richmond
What you should know
Before you negotiate a Civil Engineer offer in Richmond, understand the terrain. Richmond combines a strong government and defense sector with growing technology and financial services industries. Capital One's headquarters drives significant fintech employment. The city's proximity to Washington DC creates spillover demand for federal contractors and tech workers seeking lower living costs. PE licensure is nearly essential for advancement and adds significant salary premium. Specialization in transportation, water resources, or geotechnical engineering pays more than general site development. Geographic demand driven by infrastructure spending varies widely, with high-growth Sun Belt metros offering the best compensation packages.
Entry-level civil engineers (EIT) start at $68,000 to $78,000. Licensed PEs earn $86,000 to $112,000 after four to six years. Project managers reach $110,000 to $145,000, with principals at engineering firms earning $150,000 to $200,000 or more. In Richmond, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Consulting firms offer bonuses of 5 to 10% tied to project billing targets. Government civil engineers receive pension benefits, step increases, and strong job security. Many firms cover PE exam costs and provide annual professional development stipends. And on the tax side: virginia's top income tax rate is 5.75%. Richmond has no city income tax. The moderate rate and reasonable cost of living create solid net compensation. When someone quotes you $84,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Leverage DC corridor salary benchmarks. Richmond employers compete with Northern Virginia and DC for talent, especially in fintech and government contracting. The range for Civil Engineers in Richmond runs from $67,000 to $110,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Healthcare Data Analyst in Richmond earns $83,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Richmond is Chief AI Officer at $316,000
Common questions.
Civil Engineer salary in other cities
Other salaries in Richmond
Related
Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
Want this data on your site? Embed the salary widget — one script tag, free forever.