How much do Civil Engineers earn in Australia?

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The demand for civil engineers across Australia has never been stronger and that’s being reflected in salaries.

As infrastructure investment continues nationwide and skills shortages persist, engineers are seeing steady pay increases across all levels of experience.

According to Engineers Australia’s 2024 Engineering Labour Market Overview, the average salary across all engineering occupations in Australia is around AUD $118,000. More importantly, wages in engineering are rising faster than the national average, driven by infrastructure growth, energy transition projects, and an ongoing shortage of skilled professionals.

The civil engineering market remains one of the most talent-short in Australia. As a result, salaries across most disciplines have seen consistent annual growth of 8–12%, particularly at the project and senior project engineer levels.

At ConsultANZ Recruitment, we’ve analysed our own placement data and recent market trends across Australia. Below is a summary of average base salaries for key civil engineering roles in 2025, reflecting insights from projects spanning infrastructure, construction, and renewables in various locations across Australia.

Below is an overview of salary ranges from ConsultANZ data:

Experience LevelTypical Salary (AUD)Source
Site Engineer (0 – 4 yrs experience)
* highest earnings apply to regional roles
* Graduate/Entry level roles are on the lower end of the pay scale		$65,000 – $115,000
average salary: AUD $99,167		ConsultANZ
Project Engineer (4 – 7 yrs experience)
* highest earnings on the pay scale apply to regional roles 		$85,000 – $145,000
average salary: AUD $119,345		ConsultANZ
Senior Project Engineer (7 -10 yrs experience)
*highest earning on the pay scale apply to regional roles		$140,000 – $185,000
average salary: AUD $160,500 		ConsultANZ
Project Manager (10 + yrs experience)$160,000 – $220,000
average salary: AUD $190,000		ConsultANZ

Roles in Highest Demand

Across Australia, employers are competing fiercely for:

  • Project Engineers & Managers – particularly in rail, highways, and renewables
  • Geotechnical & Structural Engineers – with deep foundations and piling experience
  • Design Engineers – skilled in BIM, digital engineering, and sustainable design
  • Supervisors & Site Engineers – with tier 1 and tier 2 contractor experience

Market Update: Demand for Civil Engineers in Australia still strong in 2025

Regional jobs pay the most!

Remote or regional infrastructure projects, for example in parts of Western Australia, Northern Territory or regional Queensland, often pay a premium because of travel/roster demands, relocation costs, and the relative scarcity of experienced engineers in those zones. Regional and FIFO roles attract 10–25% location premiums.

The renewables and clean-energy transition have emerged as major salary drivers. Engineers with experience in solar, wind, battery storage, or transmission infrastructure are commanding higher salaries than their counterparts in traditional sectors. As Australia pushes toward its 82% renewables target by 2030, this demand, and corresponding pay growth, is expected to accelerate.

If you’re a civil engineer, you should know that taking a regional/infrastructure or renewables role can significantly amplify your salary potential – beyond typical metro “design engineer” salaries.

What are FIFO and DIDO jobs in Australia?

With federal and state governments investing billions into transport, water, and clean energy projects, engineering salaries are expected to continue their upward trajectory through 2026 and beyond.

Whether you’re a graduate engineer looking to gain site experience or a senior project manager ready for your next challenge, the opportunities — and earning potential — have never been greater.

🔗 Connect with ConsultANZ Recruitment to learn where your experience fits best in Australia’s booming infrastructure sector.

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