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Average Salary for Civil Engineers in Michigan (2025)
As of 2025, the average civil engineer salary in Michigan ranges between $67,000 to $1,000,000 per year, depending on location, experience, and specialization.
Here’s a breakdown:
- Entry level or Beginner civil engineer salary: $83,973/year
- Mid-level (4–6 years experience): $97,838/year
- Senior Civil Engineers (10+ years): $1,15,183/year
At the higher end of this range are engineers who know how to use BIM, have PE or PMP certifications, or have worked on smart city or transportation projects before.
Top Career Paths for Civil Engineers in Michigan
1. BIM Engineer
BIM Engineers rely on Revit, Navisworks, and AutoCAD Civil 3D to develop infrastructure designs in three dimensions. Such experts are crucial for creating visualized plans, coordinating between building teams, identifying conflicts upfront, and helping to avoid expensive issues at the construction site.
2. Structural Engineer
Structural engineers ensure that buildings, bridges, and tunnels handle weather, traffic on roads, or earthquakes safely. Because snow and changes in season can seriously harm buildings and bridges in Michigan, these engineers help keep the public safe.
3. Transportation Engineer
These professionals design, improve, and manage Michigan’s roadways, railways, and airports. With major funding going into updating Detroit’s and Grand Rapids’ transit systems, transportation engineers are vital. Their work influences everything from traffic safety to environmental sustainability.
4. Environmental Engineer
Environmental engineers focus on clean water systems, pollution control, and sustainable construction. Given Michigan’s emphasis on environmental protection (think Flint water crisis), these engineers are increasingly important in public works and urban planning.
5. Geotechnical Engineer
Geotechnical engineers analyze soil, rock, and groundwater to design stable foundations. In Michigan, with its diverse terrain from the Great Lakes to rural uplands, geotechnical assessments are essential before building any infrastructure.
Average Civil Engineering Salaries Across Michigan Cities
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City |
Average Annual Salary |
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Detroit |
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Grand Rapids |
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Ann Arbor |
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Lansing |
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Kalamazoo |
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Marquette (Upper Michigan) |
The average salaries upper Michigan civil engineer professionals earn tend to be slightly lower than those in urban hubs, primarily due to cost-of-living differences.
Also Read - All about Civil Engineer Salaries in Boston, Massachusetts in 2025
5 Factors Affecting Civil Engineering Salaries in Michigan
1. Experience and Career Progression
Like any technical field, experience matters. Entry-level engineers in Michigan typically start at around $66,000, but with 8–10 years of experience, they can earn over $100,000 annually. Senior engineers often take on leadership roles in project management, supervision, or design verification.
2. Educational Background and Licensure
Those with a Master’s degree, PE (Professional Engineer) license, or PMP certification generally access higher salary brackets. Employers value credentials that show your capability to lead and make independent decisions on complex projects.
3. Specialized Skills and Technological Proficiency
Skills in digital platforms like Revit, Civil 3D, and Navisworks are game changers. Michigan’s infrastructure future is smart and tech-driven. Engineers who understand Building Information Modeling (BIM) often qualify for roles with better pay and job stability.
4. Industry and Employer Type
Where you work matters. Government positions (like MDOT) may offer good benefits but lower salaries compared to private-sector firms or multinational consultancies involved in big-budget infrastructure projects.
5. Geographic Location Within the State
As shown earlier, cities like Ann Arbor and Detroit offer higher wages due to the complexity of projects and higher living costs. Average salary in civil engineering jobs in smaller cities like Marquette is comparatively lower.
Also Read - Civil Engineers Salary in Georgia (2025)
Average Salary in Civil Engineering: 5-Year Trends in Michigan
Over the past five years, civil engineering salaries in Michigan have shown steady growth, driven by infrastructure investments, urban development, and the adoption of digital construction technologies.
- 2019: The average civil engineer salary in Michigan was approximately $77,430, reflecting a stable demand for professionals in public works and transportation projects.
- 2020: The COVID-19 pandemic caused a slight dip, with average salaries around $77,730. Despite project delays, many civil engineers maintained employment due to ongoing essential infrastructure work.
- 2021: As the economy rebounded, salaries increased to about $ 77,450, supported by renewed construction activities and government funding for public infrastructure.
- 2022: The average salary rose to approximately $78,720, influenced by a focus on sustainable and green infrastructure projects across the state.
- 2023–2024: Civil engineer salaries in Michigan reached an average of $85,809, with higher earnings in metropolitan areas like Detroit, where professionals earn around $96,885 annually.
This upward trend underscores Michigan's commitment to infrastructure development and the growing importance of civil engineers in shaping the state's future.
Boost Your Salary as a Civil Engineer by Mastering BIM
In today’s competitive AEC industry, standing out as a civil engineer requires more than just a degree. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is transforming how infrastructure projects are designed and executed. By mastering BIM, you not only stay relevant but also open doors to higher-paying roles and faster career growth.
The BIM Advantage:
- Civil engineers with BIM skills are very much in demand, earning over 40% more than the rest.
- Better use of BIM boosts efficiency, makes collaboration far simpler, and helps to achieve superior project results.
How Novatr Helps?
Novatr Offers BIM Professional Course for civil and structural engineers, Novatr’s comprehensive program helps you gain BIM expertise in just 7 months. This course helps you learn about information modeling, parametric structure families, preparing drawings and presenting your designs. It also covers 3D modeling, BIM principles for infrastructure and 4D/5D visualization.
The main focus of this program is on real skills, which involve using the cloud, streamlining BIM techniques, working together and locating clashes. It enables you to use Revit, as well as over 12 other leading building information modeling programs, while following practical methods. Upon the completion of the course, you will be eligible for recognition from Autodesk and Novatr, which can improve your job prospects.
Key USPs:
- Get Dual Certification from Autodesk and Novatr
- Learn Essential BIM Workflows
- 40+ hours of live learning with lifelong access to program content, including multiple RIBA & ISO 19650 Capstone projects.
- Mastering Revit and 10+ BIM software, including Autodesk Revit, Navisworks, Construction Cloud, Tekla & Civil 3D with industry workflows in just 7 months.
- 48% Average CTC Hike: Get placement assistance to land BIM jobs in globally operating AEC firms.
- ISO Verified Project Experience: Practice your skills by working on an international, standard-structured project
- Career Guidance and Placement Support: Prepare for success with guided interviews, portfolio building, and LinkedIn optimization.
- Dedicated Mentor Support: Stay on track throughout with quick query resolution and personalized feedback. Learn from global mentors who are a part of the top 1% AEC companies.
- Weekly live sessions for learning, revision, and practice.
- Professionally built in-house digital platform to elevate your learning experience.
Why Choose Novatr?
- Trusted by Thousands: Join 6,000+ BIM learners from over 45 countries who have successfully graduated from Novatr.
- Expert-Driven Curriculum: Designed through the analysis of 1,000+ job descriptions and rigorously vetted by 200+ global BIM experts.
- Globally Recognized Certifications: Earn certifications from both Autodesk and Novatr, showcasing your verified expertise.
- Proven Career Impact: Learners report an average salary hike of 48% after course completion.
- Loved by BIM Learners: We have a 4.6+ average rating across platforms like Google and Trustpilot.
In a rapidly evolving industry, Novatr stands out as the premier choice for civil engineers looking to master BIM. Enroll today to future-proof your career and unlock unparalleled growth opportunities in the AEC sector.
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