Structural Engineer.
Arlington.
$107,000
median salary, 19% above the national average
$83,000 to $140,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
Arlington is 22% more expensive than the national average. For Structural Engineers, that shakes out to a median of $107,000, with the full range spanning $83,000 to $140,000. SE licensure (beyond PE) in high-seismic states commands notable premiums. Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $96,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$70,000
to $86,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$91,000
to $112,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$118,000
to $139,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$134,000
to $166,000
Salary trend
+6% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $24,000 to the total package.
Base
$107,000
Equity
$13,000
Bonus
$9,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $131,000
How Arlington compares
Arlington, VA
$107,000
Cost of living: 22% above average
National Average
$90,000
Arlington is $17,000 above
Structural Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in Arlington
What you should know
Here is what the Structural Engineer market actually looks like in Arlington. Arlington is the heart of the DC defense and intelligence corridor, home to the Pentagon, DARPA, and hundreds of government contractors. The concentration of cleared tech jobs makes it one of the highest-paying metros for cybersecurity and cloud engineering. Amazon's HQ2 has brought a wave of commercial tech hiring. SE licensure (beyond PE) in high-seismic states commands notable premiums. Experience with complex structures like high-rises, bridges, or nuclear facilities pays 15 to 25% more than residential framing. Forensic structural engineering and post-disaster assessment skills are increasingly valued and well compensated.
Junior structural engineers start at $70,000 to $82,000 as EITs. Licensed SE/PEs earn $90,000 to $118,000 after five to seven years. Principal structural engineers and firm owners earn $125,000 to $180,000, with specialists in seismic or forensic work exceeding $200,000. In Arlington, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 22% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
Base salary is not the full picture. Consulting firms offer 5 to 12% annual bonuses tied to project profitability. Some firms provide ownership stakes or profit-sharing as engineers advance toward principal. Overtime during construction deadlines can add 10 to 20% to effective annual compensation. And on the tax side: virginia's top income tax rate is 5.75%. Arlington has no additional city income tax. Proximity to DC means many residents compare against DC and Maryland tax rates. When someone quotes you $107,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: A security clearance is your strongest asset. Cleared professionals in Arlington earn 20 to 30% premiums over non-cleared equivalents. The range for Structural Engineers in Arlington runs from $83,000 to $140,000. 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 Financial Analyst in Arlington earns $108,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Arlington is Distinguished Engineer at $386,000
Common questions.
Structural Engineer salary in other cities
Other salaries in Arlington
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