salary$116,480 a year$56 an hour · median pay in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$82,140per year
Top pay (top 10%)$161,760per year
Jobs in the area7,680people work this job
Can a civil engineer afford Tacoma?
OK. Rent of $1,944 a month takes 20.0% of the median civil engineer salary. That is under the 30% rule, so one paycheck covers rent comfortably.
Civil Engineer pay in similar cities
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Tacoma, WA?
The median pay for a civil engineer in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA area is $116,480 a year ($56 an hour). Most earn between $82,140 and $161,760.
Can a civil engineer afford to live in Tacoma?
Typical rent of $1,944 a month takes 20.0% of the median civil engineer salary, which we rate OK.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area.