How Much Does A Structural Engineer Make? 2025 Salary Guide

Ever look at a skyscraper and wonder, “How much does a structural engineer make for designing something like that?”

You’re definitely not the only one asking. With the cost of living seeming to hit a new level every year, knowing if a structural engineer’s salary can keep up with big expenses like mortgages is a pretty important question.

The short answer is that in 2025, the average pay lands somewhere between $99,400 and $104,617 a year. But that number can stretch or shrink a lot depending on where you plant your flag.

I’m going to walk you through the real numbers, breaking down the pay by state, what skills give you a raise, and what kind of benefits you can expect. Let’s get into the data that could shape your next career move.

Average Salary of a Structural Engineer

Most structural engineers in the U.S. can expect to earn between $75,000 and $100,000 annually. This can change quite a bit based on where you live and how much experience you have.

If you’re designing skyscrapers in a high-demand city like Seattle or somewhere in California, you’ll likely see a bigger paycheck. The higher cost-of-living and constant need for new construction pushes those numbers up.

What is the national salary range for structural engineers?

For any geek who loves digging into the data, the 2025 numbers for structural engineer salaries are pretty solid. Here’s a look at how it all breaks down across the nation.

These numbers make it clear that your skills directly impact your paycheck. Proficiency in industry-standard software like AutoCAD, SAP2000, and Revit is basically a requirement to stay competitive.

One of the fastest ways to level up your salary is by getting your Professional Engineer (PE) license. It’s a clear signal to employers that you have a high level of competence, and they are willing to pay for it.

What is the median annual wage of a structural engineer?

Beyond the national average, the median annual wage gives you a really good benchmark. For 2025, PayScale reports the average structural engineer salary is around $81,459. Of course, this number moves around based on your experience.

For instance, if you’re just starting out, you can expect to earn about $69,655 a year. Once you have one to four years of experience, that figure climbs to around $76,080.

As you gain more experience designing buildings or navigating the cost of living in cities like Portland or Salt Lake City, you’ll see your salary grow. Experienced roles often pay close to $90,000, and senior positions can easily exceed $120,000. If you specialize in a high-demand area like the energy-sector, particularly with wind-energy projects, you can hit six figures very quickly.

About 90% of structural engineers get medical benefits, with 79% getting dental and 71% getting vision. This shows that your total compensation is much more than just your base pay.

Generally, states in the South tend to have lower salaries, while some coastal areas have higher pay but also higher tax burdens. Many firms also offer bonuses and profit-sharing, which can add thousands to your annual earnings.

Salary Variations by Location

A structural engineer’s paycheck can change dramatically just by crossing state lines, a lot like gas prices. You’ll find higher numbers in places like Nevada or the District of Columbia, while other states might require you to make your living wage stretch a bit further.

Which states pay structural engineers the most?

Some states are definitely better for your bank account. Here’s a quick look at where your salary can really shine. Check out these top-tier locations and see what makes them stand out.

Which states offer the lowest salaries for structural engineers?

While tech hubs often get the attention for high pay, what about the places where your paycheck might not go as far? Here is a breakdown of the lowest-paying states for structural engineers, based on the latest data.

• States in the South and Midwest typically fall about 7% below the national average for this field.
• Tools like Glassdoor and Payscale are great for comparing these numbers side-by-side.
• To see what these salaries really mean, use a cost of living calculator like the one from NerdWallet to adjust your expectations.
• Many engineers share real-world salary data on Reddit threads, which can give you some great insider insights.
• For any data geeks out there, keep an eye on new releases from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the latest trends.

From my own experience, I’ve worked in Tennessee. The pay was average, but my rent was half of what my friends in California were paying. It might not be glamorous, but my budget for new tech gadgets was definitely happy.

Factors Influencing Structural Engineer Salaries

Several things can affect your paycheck, including your years of experience, specialized skills, and whether you’ve passed the PE exam. Other factors like labor market pricing and even union negotiations can also play a role in how much a structural engineer earns.

How does experience level affect structural engineer pay?

Experience has a major impact on a structural engineer’s paycheck. Here’s a breakdown of how pay scales from a new intern to a senior pro leading the team.

Experience is more than just years on the job. It’s about mastering tools like Revit, RISA, and Mathcad. It’s about how you handle value engineering and navigate complex building codes. The real-world hustle of site visits, balancing load diagrams, and arguing with spreadsheets is what truly counts.

How do licensure and certifications like a PE license impact salary?

Getting your PE license is like finding a cheat code for your engineering salary. Here’s a look at how it and other certifications can boost your pay.

For more information on other engineering jobs, check out this guide on engineer compensation and earnings.

Additional Compensation and Benefits

Structural engineers often get more than just a steady paycheck. Bonuses, profit sharing, pension plans, and great health insurance premiums are common. Many companies even offer stock options or other retirement packages with their company logo on them, which is a nice perk.

What bonuses and profit sharing can structural engineers receive?

Cash bonuses can really sweeten the deal for engineers in this field. These extra payments aren’t just office rumors, they’re a reality for many.

• Top performers frequently receive annual cash bonuses ranging from $990 to $10,000, and sometimes even more.
• Profit-sharing plans can add a significant amount to your yearly income, tied directly to the firm’s performance.
• Commissions are rare but can happen on special projects, sometimes reaching $5,000 for winning new clients.
• Your total pay, which includes your base salary plus bonuses and profit sharing, can range from $65,000 to $118,000 a year.
• Senior leaders and project managers typically get the largest bonuses, often between $990 and $10,000 each year.
• Some firms, like the employee-owned Burns & McDonnell, have very low attrition rates due to their competitive compensation and profit-sharing structures.
• The gender pay gap can still be a factor, with some data showing that men may report larger cash bonuses than women in similar roles.

What are common benefits packages for structural engineers?

The benefits for structural engineers can often compete with what you’d find at big tech companies. It’s more than just crunching numbers and signing off on load calculations.

• Around 90% of U.S. structural engineers receive employer-paid medical coverage.
• Dental benefits are provided to about 79% of engineers, so you can keep smiling through those long meetings.
• Vision coverage is included for 71% of engineers, which is a huge plus if you’re staring at CAD screens all day.
• Retirement plans are standard, usually a 401(k) with an employer match. Public agencies often offer pension plans instead.
• Many private sector jobs also include education stipends, relocation packages, or extra paid time off.
• For senior-level employees at large public companies, equity compensation can be a part of the package.
• It’s worth noting that about 9% of structural engineers report having no employer-provided health benefits, so it’s always important to check.

A friend of mine once chose a job almost entirely for its amazing vision plan. He still jokes that it paid for his new VR headset as well as his glasses. Companies are competing for talent, so make sure you compare the total compensation before making a decision.

How Will Structural Engineer Salaries Change in 2025?

Salaries are not going to stay flat. In 2025, most structural engineers can expect to see an annual pay increase of 3% to 6%. Metro areas like Los Angeles, Seattle, Denver, and Atlanta are seeing faster pay growth than rural areas, thanks to a high demand for new projects.

A new graduate might start around $55,480, but that can quickly climb to nearly $84,077 after getting some experience. Senior professionals working on large urban projects can earn over $120,404, with top experts hitting the $150,000 mark.

Getting your PE license is still one of the smartest career moves you can make, adding anywhere from $20,000 to $42,000 to your annual salary.

As the demand for skilled engineers continues to grow, especially with initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding major projects, firms will need to keep their salary budgets competitive to attract and retain top talent.

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