How Much Does a Construction Project Engineer Make? (2025)
Understanding the construction project engineer's salary is important for employers and job candidates. As of September 11, 2025, the average project engineer salary in the United States is $86,101 per year, or approximately $41 per hour, according to recent data.
This salary guide explores the role of a construction project engineer, including job responsibilities, earnings, and factors influencing income, such as location, experience, and specialized knowledge. Continue to read for a full breakdown of salaries and career insights.
What Does a Construction Project Engineer Do?
A construction project engineer plays a key role in ensuring that construction projects are completed efficiently, safely, and according to standards. Their responsibilities include both technical oversight and collaboration with multiple stakeholders across the field of construction.
Responsibilities include:
- Provides technical oversight, review, and engineering analysis of construction projects to ensure compliance with time, budget, quality, and regulatory requirements.
- Reviews and approves specifications, designs, bids, contracts, drawings, change orders, and progress reports.
- Monitors project progress and ensure milestones are met on schedule.
- Identifies and assesses engineering project risks, then develops mitigation strategies and solutions.
- Facilitates collaboration among project stakeholders, including architects, contractors, suppliers, and regulatory authorities to ensure smooth project execution.
According to the BLS, aspiring construction managers, including construction project engineers, often enter the profession with a college degree in construction, business, engineering, or a relevant discipline.
What is Construction Project Engineer Overview?
As mentioned above, the construction project engineer salary in the United States is $86,101 per year or $41 per hour, as of September 11, 2025.
Based on our data, the construction project engineer salary is between $70,244 to $98,137 per year, with most earning reported between $77,801 and $86,101. The construction project engineer salary per month is $7,175.
Moreover, construction project engineers often earn an average of $41 per hour, with hourly rates ranging from $37 to $44. The average weekly construction project engineer salary is $1,656, with pay ranging from $1,496 to $1,777.
2025 Construction Project Engineer Average Salary: $86,101 per year ($41 per hour)
Meanwhile, the core median salary for a construction project engineer is $129,681 per year. This includes salary and bonuses and varies depending on the percentile.
The average total salary for a construction project engineer is $129,681, according to our report. The total compensation package for the job title includes benefits like time off ($11,619), Social Security ($7,222), and healthcare ($6,056), which make up 19.3% of the total compensation.
| Core Compensation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Median | % of Total | |
| Base Salary | $86,101 | 66.4% |
| Bonus | $8,300 | 6.4% |
| Value of Benefits | ||
| Social Security | $7,222 | 5.6% |
| 401K/403B | $4,437 | 3.4% |
| Disability | $755 | 0.6% |
| Healthcare | $6,056 | 4.7% |
| Pension | $5,192 | 4.0% |
| Time Off | $11,619 | 9.0% |
| Total Compensation | $129,681 | 100% |
What Can Affect Construction Project Engineer Salaries?
The construction project engineer's average salary varies based on factors such as experience, geographical location, and skills. Here's a breakdown of these key factors:
By Experience Level
According to our report, construction project engineers with less than one year of experience earn an average salary of $85,482 per year. In contrast, those with eight or more years of experience can expect to earn an average of $88,202 per year. More years of experience typically lead to higher salaries.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Construction Project Engineer | $85,482 |
| Intermediate Level Construction Project Engineer | $86,292 |
| Senior Level Construction Project Engineer | $87,725 |
| Specialist Level Construction Project Engineer | $88,011 |
| Expert Level Construction Project Engineer | $88,202 |
By Geographic Location
Apart from experience level, the construction project engineer average salary in the United States also varies by location, influenced by factors such as cost of living, local economy, and industry presence.
For example, metropolitan area like San Jose has the highest average salary at $108,501 per year, while Passaic and Bergenfield report lower median salaries of $98,301 and $98,201 per year, respectively.
| City | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, California | $98,101 | $108,501 | $116,501 |
| San Francisco, California | $97,101 | $107,501 | $115,401 |
| Oakland, California | $95,001 | $105,101 | $112,801 |
| New York, New York | $90,101 | $99,701 | $107,101 |
| Queens Village, New York | $89,601 | $99,101 | $106,401 |
| Paramus, New Jersey | $88,901 | $98,401 | $105,601 |
| Passaic, New Jersey | $88,901 | $98,301 | $105,601 |
| Bergenfield, New Jersey | $88,801 | $98,201 | $105,501 |
By Skills
High-demand skills drive salary increases for construction project engineers. Our Real-Time Job Posting Salary Data Report shows that those with drawing skills see a salary increase of +8.87%, while those with civil engineering skills see an increase of +8.43%. The demand for these skills is 10.30% and 10.00%, respectively.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Drawing | 10.30% | 8.87% |
| Civil Engineering | 10.00% | 8.43% |
| Project Documentation | 10.30% | 8.29% |
| Project Communications | 10.50% | 8.24% |
| Cost Estimation | 10.60% | 8.15% |
| Procurement | 10.00% | 7.70% |
| Microsoft Project | 10.30% | 7.49% |
| Construction Management | 10.00% | 6.40% |
How to Become a Construction Project Engineer?
Becoming a construction project engineer involves a structured path of education, hands-on training, and skill development.
- Complete Your Education: According to BLS, construction managers, including construction project engineers, require a bachelor's degree in construction, business, engineering, or an equivalent discipline. Certain construction managers obtain an associate degree in construction management. An associate's degree coupled with practical experience is often standard for managers overseeing smaller projects.
- Gain Relevant Experience: Newly appointed construction project engineers generally operate under the supervision of an experienced manager for a duration of up to one year. However, the duration of this hands-on training may extend for several years, based upon the company's requirements. Construction managers must possess extensive experience in carpentry, masonry, or other construction disciplines to qualify for positions based purely on their experience.
- Develop Key Skills: According to our data, construction project engineers should learn skills like drawing, civil engineering and project documentation to be employed with higher salaries. The demand for those skills is 10.30%, 10.00% and 10.30%, respectively. Skills such as project communications and cost estimation are also highly valued.
What are the FAQs about Construction Project Engineer?
Here are some common questions about construction project engineer salary:
Is construction project engineer a good job?
Yes, a career as a construction project engineer is advantageous due to its substantial professional advancement potential, competitive salary, and the chance to engage in significant infrastructure initiatives. It is particularly rewarding for individuals who like problem-solving, cooperation, and the application of engineering expertise in practical construction scenarios.
What skills do you need to be a construction project engineer?
To be a successful construction project engineer, you need skills like drawing, civil engineering, project documentation, project communications, and cost estimation. Moreover, mastering these skills can boost your salary by up to 10.30%, 10.00%, 10.30%, 10.50% and 10.60%, respectively.
How much do construction project engineers make?
As of September 2025, the median salary for a construction project engineer ranges from $70, 244 to $98,137 per year, with most earnings ranging from $77,801 to $92,401 depending on factors such as experience, location, and industry.
