EngineeringUpdated Q1 2026

Civil Engineer Salary
in Tucson, AZ

Design and oversee construction of infrastructure including roads, bridges, and buildings. Median salary in Tucson: $79K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$79K
per year
Take-home: $54K

Salary range in Tucson

Entry level (25th)$60,000
Median (50th)$79,000
Senior (75th)$104,000
Top earner (90th)$132,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Tucson, Arizona. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

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What the numbers say for Tucson

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above β€” specific to this role and city.

12% discount vs national median

Civil Engineers in Tucson earn approximately 12% lower than the US national median for this role β€” a $11,000 discount on annual base salary. Tucson's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 90 (US avg = 100).

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Tucson's cost-of-living index (90), the median Civil Engineer salary buys the equivalent of $87,778 in a US-average-cost city. That's $2,222 less purchasing power than the national median β€” the higher nominal salary doesn't fully offset local costs.

Key facts for Tucson

Median salary
$79K
annual
Take-home pay
$54K
after fed/state tax
COL index
90
100 = US avg
State income tax
2.5%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,150
per month
YoY growth
+3.4%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Tucson Civil Engineer to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $92K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Tucson

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Civil Engineer salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$66K$73K$81K$88K$95K201920212023202520272029
2026
$82K
projected
2027
$85K
projected
2028
$88K
projected
2029
$92K
projected
2030
$95K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$82,000+$3,000
2028 projected$85,000+$6,000
2029 projected$88,000+$9,000
2030 projected$92,000+$13,000

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Civil Engineer Salary in Tucson, Arizona: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Civil Engineer salary in Tucson, AZ is $79,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Tucson–AZ metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Civil Engineer in Tucson

Entry-level Civil Engineers in Tucson with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $60,000 and $79,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $79,000 to $104,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $104,000 to $132,000 or more.

Cost of living in Tucson for Civil Engineers

Tucson has a cost of living index of 90 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 10% further in Tucson than the national average. Arizona has a 2.5% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Civil Engineer

Bachelor's in Civil Engineering; PE license. 25% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Civil Engineer salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Tucson (current)$79K90
Phoenix$90K100
Mesa$86K98
Chandler$95K105
Scottsdale$97K118
Glendale$86K95