Civil Engineer Salary in India and Abroad in 2023

Civil engineering is a dynamic and challenging profession that plays a crucial role in designing, building, and maintaining the infrastructure that we use every day. 

As a civil engineer, you can choose from a wide range of career paths and specializations such as structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, transportation engineering, and environmental engineering. However, one of the most important factors that every aspiring civil engineer wants to know is the salary range they can expect to earn. 

In this blog post, we will explore the salary of civil engineers in India and abroad, based on their experience, qualifications, and job roles. We will also discuss the factors that can influence civil engineer salaries. 

Civil Engineer salary as a fresher

As a fresher Civil Engineer in India, you can expect to earn an average salary of around INR 1-2.4 lakhs per annum. 

This figure can vary depending on the city you work in, with those working in major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, or Bangalore earning slightly more than those working in smaller towns or cities.

Tier of City	Salary Range (per month in thousands)	Salary Range (per annum in Lacs)
Tier 1	INR 25000-35000	INR 3-1.4
Tier 2	INR 15000-25000	INR 1.8-3
Tier 3	INR 10000-15000	INR 0.8-1.5

Civil Engineer salary having 1 year of experience

Civil Engineers with one year of experience can expect to earn an average salary of around INR 3-6 lakhs per annum. Again, this figure can vary depending on the industry you work in. 

Civil engineers working in the construction industry may earn slightly less than those working in sectors like oil and gas, infrastructure, or transportation.

Tier of City	Salary Range (per month in thousands)	Salary Range (per annum in Lacs)
Tier 1	INR 40000-55000	INR 5-6
Tier 2	INR 35000-45000	INR 4-5
Tier 3	INR 25000-35000	INR 3-4

Civil Engineer salary for experienced

As you gain more experience in the field, your salary as a Civil Engineer in India can increase significantly. 

Those with five years of experience can expect to earn an average salary of around INR 5-12 lacs per annum, while those with ten years of experience or more can earn upwards of INR 15 lakhs per annum.

Tier of City	Salary Range (per month  in thousands)	Salary Range (per annum in Lacs))
Tier 1	INR 55000-1 lacs	INR 6.5-12
Tier 2	INR 40000-60000	INR 5-7.2
Tier 3	INR 40000-50000	INR 5-6

It’s important to note that salaries can also vary depending on your qualifications, certifications, and job responsibilities. 

Civil engineers who specialize in niche areas like environmental engineering, structural engineering, or seismic design may earn more than those working in more generalist roles.

Civil Engineer salary based on Qualifications

Qualification	Average Annual Salary (INR)	Average Annual Salary (USD)
Diploma in Civil Engineering	250,000 – 500,000	3,400 – 6,800
B.Tech/B.E. in Civil Engineering	400,000 – 800,000	5,400 – 10,900
M.Tech/M.E. in Civil Engineering	600,000 – 1,200,000	8,100 – 16,200
PhD in Civil Engineering	800,000 – 1,800,000	10,800 – 24,300

Average salary of Civil Engineer in India

The average salary of a Civil Engineer in India is around INR 4-5 lakhs per annum. 

Civil Engineer salary for different profiles

S. No	Profile	Salary Range (per annum)
1	Architectural engineer	INR 2.5 Lakhs – INR 12 Lakhs
2	Billing Engineer	INR 3 Lakhs – INR 10 Lakhs
3	Building control surveyor	INR 3 Lakhs – INR 10 Lakhs
4	Building services engineer	INR 3.5 Lakhs – INR 12 Lakhs
5	CAD technician	INR 2.5 Lakhs – INR 7 Lakhs
6	Civil engineer	INR 2.5 Lakhs – INR 12 Lakhs
7	Civil engineering technician	INR 2 Lakhs – INR 6 Lakhs
8	Coastal engineer	INR 3.5 Lakhs – INR 12 Lakhs
9	Construction engineer	INR 3 Lakhs – INR 12 Lakhs
10	Construction manager	INR 6 Lakhs – INR 20 Lakhs
11	Construction estimator	INR 3 Lakhs – INR 10 Lakhs
12	Consulting engineer	INR 5 Lakhs – INR 25 Lakh
13	Drainage engineer	INR 3.5 Lakhs – INR 12 Lakhs
14	Environmental engineer	INR 3 Lakhs – INR 12 Lakhs
15	Field service engineer	INR 2.5 Lakhs – INR 8 Lakhs
16	Fire engineer	INR 3.5 Lakhs – INR 12 Lakhs
17	Geotechnical engineer	INR 3 Lakhs – INR 15 Lakhs
18	Highway engineer	INR 3 Lakhs – INR 12 Lakhs
19	Industrial Engineer	INR 3 Lakhs – INR 12 Lakhs
20	Marine engineer	INR 4 Lakhs – INR 20 Lakhs
21	Materials engineer	INR 3.5 Lakhs – INR 12 Lakhs
22	Nuclear engineer	INR 4 Lakhs – INR 15 Lakhs
23	Planning Engineer	INR 3.5 Lakhs – INR 12 Lakhs
24	Project manager	INR 8 Lakhs – INR 30 Lakhs
25	Quantity surveyor	INR 3 Lakhs – INR 12 Lakhs
26	Railway engineer	INR 3.5 Lakhs – INR 12 Lakhs
27	Site engineer	INR 2.5 Lakhs – INR 10 Lakhs
28	Structural engineer	INR 3.5 Lakhs – INR 15 Lakhs
29	Surveyor	INR 2.5 Lakhs – INR 10 Lakhs
30	Traffic engineer	INR 3 Lakhs – INR 12 Lakhs
31	Transportation engineer	INR 3 Lakhs – INR 12 Lakhs
32	Tunneling engineer	INR 3.5 Lakhs – INR 12 Lakhs
33	Urban planner	INR 3.5 Lakhs – INR 15 Lakhs
34	Water engineer	INR 3 Lakhs – INR 12 Lakhs
35	Water resources engineer	INR 3.5 Lakhs – INR 12 Lakhs
36	Water hygiene engineer	INR 2 Lakhs – INR 5 Lakhs

Civil Engineer salary outside India

Country	Currency	Average Annual Salary (Local Currency)	Average Annual Salary (USD)	Average Annual Salary (INR)
US	USD	$68,730	$68,730	₹50,96,951
Canada	CAD	$60,000	$47,910	₹35,61,000
UAE	AED	AED 180,000	$49,134	₹36,50,562
Qatar	QAR	QAR 208,000	$57,328	₹42,62,224
Australia	AUD	AUD 104,000	$78,003	₹57,98,672
Saudi Arabia	SAR	SAR 96,000	$25,526	₹18,97,913
Kuwait	KWD	KWD 22,800	$75,235	₹55,85,413

Note: Although the salaries of civil engineers outside India are generally higher, it is important to keep in mind that the cost of living, food, rent, transportation, and other expenses are also typically higher in these countries. Therefore, it’s important to consider these factors before comparing salaries across different countries.

Factors on which civil engineer’s salary depends

The salary of a civil engineer is influenced by various factors, including:

1. Experience

Experience plays a vital role in determining a civil engineer’s salary. The more experience you have, the higher your salary is likely to be.

2. Qualifications

The type of degree or qualification you possess can also impact your salary. For instance, a master’s degree in civil engineering may lead to a higher salary than a bachelor’s degree.

3. Specific skill set

Some of the most sought-after skills in the field of civil engineering include project management, proficiency in design software (AutoCAD, Revit), knowledge of building codes (IS Codes i.e. IS456:2000, IS 800:2007, etc) and regulations, communication skills, and leadership abilities. 

Engineers who possess these skills and are able to demonstrate them effectively can often command higher salaries, as they are viewed as more valuable assets to their employers.

4. Specialization

Different specializations within civil engineering can also affect salary levels. For example, a structural engineer may earn more than a civil site engineer.

5. Industry

The industry in which you work can also impact your salary as an engineer. Civil engineers working in the government sector may have a different salary range than those working in the private sector.

6. Location

The location of your workplace is also an important factor in determining your salary. Salaries may differ based on the cost of living and economic conditions of a particular region.

7. Company size

The size of the company or organization you work for can also influence your salary. Larger companies may have higher salaries than smaller firms.

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