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Principal Civil Engineer Salary in Pennsylvania, United States
How much does a Principal Civil Engineer make in Pennsylvania, United States?
$115,492 (USD)/year
Average Bonus
$3,765 (USD)
per Year
Total Compensation
$117,750.04
Entry Level
$81,422
Median
$113,985
Senior Level
$130,632
As of July, 23, 2026, the average principal civil engineer gross salary in Pennsylvania, United States is $115,492 or an equivalent hourly rate of $56. In addition, principal civil engineers earn an average bonus of $3,765. An entry level principal civil engineer with 1-3 years of experience earns an average salary of $81,422. At the higher end of the pay range, a senior level principal civil engineer with 8+ years of experience earns an average salary of $130,632. Salary estimates are based on salary survey data collected directly from employers in Pennsylvania, United States.
Data powered by ERI
Salary Potential for a Principal Civil Engineer
Explore the estimated salary growth for a Principal Civil Engineer in Pennsylvania, United States for up to 5 years. The estimated salary of a Principal Civil Engineer will be $118,576 in 1 year and $131,758 in 5 years.
View Salary by Year
Estimated Salary
$121,743
Average Growth
5.4 %
The estimated salary for a Principal Civil Engineer in 2 years is $121,743, which is 5.4 % average growth. This information is based on ERI's compensation database.
Typical Principal Civil Engineer Education
This chart displays the highest level of education for Principal Civil Engineers.
- 0% of Principal Civil Engineers have less than a High School Diploma
- 0% of Principal Civil Engineers have a High School Diploma
- 0% of Principal Civil Engineers have an Associate's Degree
- 100% of Principal Civil Engineers have a Bachelor's Degree
- 0% of Principal Civil Engineers have a Master's Degree
- 0% of Principal Civil Engineers have a Doctorate Degree
The typical field of study for a Principal Civil Engineer is Civil Engineering.
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View moreCost of Living in Pennsylvania, United States
The cost of living in Pennsylvania, United States is 1% lower than the national average.
1% lower
than the national average
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Principal Civil Engineer do?
Manages civil engineering projects, overseeing planning, design, and construction phases across public infrastructure systems. Supervises professional and technical engineering staff, providing guidance, performance evaluations, mentorship, and senior-level expertise in civil engineering to ensure project alignment and development goals. Reviews development proposals, engineering plans, and project specifications for compliance with municipal standards, regulations, and safety protocols. Readies technical reports, contract documents, and budget estimates to support long-range infrastructure planning and departmental operations. Coordinates with other agencies, departments, and consultants to ensure efficient integration of city projects with broader community and regulatory goals.
How much does a Principal Civil Engineer make in Pennsylvania, United States?
The average salary for a Principal Civil Engineer is $115,492 per year or $55.53 per hour in Pennsylvania, United States. Top earners have reported making up to $130,632. However, the typical pay range in Pennsylvania, United States is between $81,422 and $130,632 annually.
What is the salary trajectory for a Principal Civil Engineer?
Principal Civil Engineer is projected to see a 14.1 % salary change in 5 years.
How can you increase your salary?
Increasing your salary often starts with understanding your value in today’s job market. You can increase your earning potential by building your skills, advancing your education, moving into a new role or industry, switching companies, or negotiating pay.
How can you negotiate a salary offer?
Negotiating a salary offer involves preparation and finding our your market value. Use our salary calculator to find out how much you should be paid based on what someone in your area, with similar experience, earns. Use this personalized report to help negotiate a higher salary offer or find your dream career.
What are some factors that impact Principal Civil Engineer salaries?
Several factors can impact your salary, including experience, company size, job market, location, industry, and more. Understanding how these factors affect your role can help you spot pay gaps and provide opportunities for a competitive salary.
About Our Data
This page is an excerpt of the much more complete compensation information available in ERI's Assessor Series.
ERI compiles the most robust and accurate salary, cost-of-living, and executive compensation survey database available. Data are analyzed using AI and traditional statistics, depending on which approach is best for a particular application. ERI collects salary survey data from five different sources, which you can learn about here.
Verified Sources
Data sourced from internal salary surveys, purchased surveys, public sources, HRIS data, and proprietary databases.
Real-Time Data
Our salary database is updated and verified approximately every six weeks.
Quality Assurance
Along with our data scientists, we have included AI in our rigorous process to analyze and provide the highest quality data.
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