The average civil engineer salary in Canada is $75,000-$110,000 per year. This guide breaks down civil engineering pay by province, sector, and experience level.
Table of Contents
Civil Engineer Salary by Province
Province
Entry Level
P.Eng
Senior/Manager
Alberta
$72,000
$105,000
$145,000
Ontario
$68,000
$98,000
$138,000
British Columbia
$70,000
$100,000
$140,000
Saskatchewan
$68,000
$95,000
$130,000
Manitoba
$65,000
$92,000
$125,000
Quebec
$62,000
$88,000
$120,000
Nova Scotia
$60,000
$82,000
$115,000
New Brunswick
$58,000
$80,000
$110,000
Newfoundland
$65,000
$90,000
$125,000
PEI
$55,000
$75,000
$105,000
Territories
$85,000+
$120,000
$165,000
Salary by Experience Level
Level
Salary Range
EIT (0-4 years)
$60,000-$80,000
P.Eng (4-8 years)
$80,000-$110,000
Senior Engineer (8-15 years)
$105,000-$140,000
Principal Engineer
$130,000-$170,000
Engineering Manager
$140,000-$180,000
Director/VP
$170,000-$250,000
Salary by Sector
Sector
Salary Range
Consulting
$70,000-$120,000
Construction
$75,000-$125,000
Government (Municipal)
$75,000-$115,000
Government (Provincial/Federal)
$80,000-$120,000
Mining
$90,000-$150,000
Oil & Gas
$95,000-$160,000
Utilities
$80,000-$120,000
Development
$78,000-$125,000
Salary by Specialization
Specialization
Salary Range
Structural
$75,000-$120,000
Transportation
$72,000-$115,000
Geotechnical
$78,000-$125,000
Water Resources
$72,000-$110,000
Environmental
$70,000-$105,000
Municipal
$72,000-$108,000
Construction Management
$80,000-$130,000
Take-Home Pay (Ontario Example)
Gross Salary
Annual Take-Home
Monthly Net
$80,000
$60,500
$5,040
$105,000
$75,000
$6,250
$140,000
$95,000
$7,920
P.Eng Pathway
Stage
Timeline
Salary Impact
B.Eng Graduate
Year 0
Entry-level
EIT (Engineer-in-Training)
Years 0-4
$65,000-$80,000
P.Eng License
Year 4+
+15-25%
Stamp Authority
With P.Eng
Required for many roles
Consulting vs Owner’s Side
Factor
Consulting
Owner (Gov/Developer)
Entry Salary
$65,000-$75,000
$70,000-$80,000
Senior Salary
$100,000-$130,000
$110,000-$140,000
Work Hours
Longer
Better
Project Variety
High
Lower
Career Path
Principal/Partner
Director/Executive
Travel
More
Less
Benefits & Overtime
Factor
Consulting
Government
Overtime
Often unpaid (salary)
Paid or banked
Pension
RRSP match
Defined benefit
Health Benefits
Good
Excellent
Vacation
3 weeks
3-5 weeks
Work-Life
Variable
Better
Is Civil Engineering a Good Career in Canada?
Pros:
Steady demand (infrastructure needs)
Clear P.Eng progression
Tangible project results
Various specializations
Government career stability
Good work-life balance possible
Cons:
4+ years to P.Eng
Project deadlines stress
Consulting hours can be long
Site visits in all weather
Liability concerns (stamping)