EngineeringOfficial Payroll Survey · 99/10010+ years

Staff / Lead Civil Engineer Salary in Dallas

2026 · Staff, lead, and principal-level professionals in the top 10% of earners.

$141,366/yr

Typical range: $125,395 $150,486

P90 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data

Civil Engineer Salary Progression in Dallas

From entry-level through staff — based on BLS OEWS percentile data

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyvs Entry
Entry0 yrs0 yrs$71,707$5,976
Junior2 yrs2 yrs$87,073$7,256+21%
Mid-Level4 yrs4 yrs$97,317$8,110+36%
Senior6 yrs6 yrs$110,224$9,185+54%
StaffThis page10 yrs10 yrs$141,366$11,781+97%
Principal14 yrs14 yrs$165,951$13,829+131%
Distinguished18 yrs18 yrs$172,098$14,342+140%
Current Salary
$141,366
Staff / Lead · 10+ years
Hourly: $68/hr
Next Level Target
$165,951
Principal · 14
+$25Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
38/100
Below Average
+7% demand · Low AI risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the staff / lead Civil Engineer salary in Dallas, TX?

Staff / Lead Civil Engineers in Dallas, TX earn approximately $141K per year (2026). This corresponds to the P90 range of BLS OEWS employer payroll data.

How much does a staff / lead Civil Engineer make per hour in Dallas, TX?

Based on $141K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $68/hr (2,080-hour work year).

How do I get from staff / lead to senior Civil Engineer in Dallas, TX?

The typical progression takes 2–4 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior Civil Engineer in Dallas, TX earns $125K–$150K/yr.