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Project Engineer I - Construction Salary in the United States

How much does a Project Engineer I - Construction make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Engineer I - Construction in the United States is $86,025 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.

However, a Project Engineer I - Construction's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $98,252
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $77,805 to $92,425
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $70,321
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View as table View as graph 25% $77,805 10% $70,321 90% $98,252 75% $92,425 $86,025 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Project Engineer I - Construction Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $92,425 $7,702 $1,777 $44
Average $86,025 $7,169 $1,654 $41
25th Percentile $77,805 $6,484 $1,496 $37
Check out Project Engineer I - Construction Job Openings in the United States
Construction Project Controls Manager

EPI Power, LLC - CEDAR RAPIDS, IA

Virtual Design&Construction Engineer

EPI Power, LLC - COUNCIL HILL, OK

Virtual Design&Construction Engineer

EPI Power, LLC - CEDAR RAPIDS, IA

Senior Construction Project Engineer non

HEPCO, Inc. - NEWARK, NJ

Search More Project Engineer I - Construction Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Project Engineer I - Construction Salaries

A Project Engineer I - Construction's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Project Engineer I - Construction Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Project Engineer I - Construction's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Project Engineer I - Construction (0-2 years): $86,025
  • Project Engineer II - Construction (2-4 years): $100,876
  • Project Engineer III - Construction (4-7 years): $119,746
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Project Engineer I - Construction0-2 years$86,025
Project Engineer II - Construction2-4 years$100,876
Project Engineer III - Construction4-7 years$119,746
$86,025 Project E...
$100,876 Project E...
$119,746 Project E...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Project Engineer I - Constructions

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $108,503
  • San Francisco: $107,437
  • Oakland: $105,054

What Skills Can Increase a Project Engineer I - Construction's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 7.92% Job Postings): Project management is the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge and experience to achieve specific project objectives according to the project acceptance criteria within agreed parameters. Project management has final deliverables that are constrained to a finite timescale and budget.
  • RFI (Mentioned in 2.78% Job Postings): A RFI (request for information) is a common business process whose purpose is to collect written information about the capabilities of various suppliers.
  • Land Development (Mentioned in 1.41% Job Postings): Land development is the alteration of landscape in any number of ways such as: Changing landforms from a natural or semi-natural state for a purpose
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 7.92%
RFI 2.78%
Land Development 1.41%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Project Engineer I - Construction's salary.
  • Electrical Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Project Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • RFI: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Electrical Engineering
$95,488
11%
Project Engineering
$92,907
8%
RFI
$92,907
8%
Verbal Communication
$92,907
8%
Coordination
$92,047
7%
Design Engineering
$92,047
7%
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How Education impacts a Project Engineer I - Construction's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Project Engineer I - Constructions enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Project Engineer I - Construction with a Associate's Degree is between $80,211 and $90,038).

Project Engineer I - Construction Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Project Engineer I - Construction
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 3.4%
Associates 4.5%
Bachelors 75.3%
Masters 16.6%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Project Engineer I - Construction Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Project Engineer I - Construction's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on April 01, 2026

Project Engineer I - Construction Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Project Engineer I - Construction, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Project Engineer II - Construction role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $100,876 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Project Engineer I - Construction

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Project Engineer I - Construction

Here are companies hiring for Project Engineer I - Construction and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Project Engineer I - Construction Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Project Engineer I - Construction job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Project Engineer I - Construction

1. Where can a Project Engineer I - Construction earn the most?

A Project Engineer I - Construction's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Project Engineer I - Construction earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Project Engineer I - Construction is $108,503.

2. What is the highest pay for Project Engineer I - Construction?

The highest pay for Project Engineer I - Construction is $98,252.

3. What is the lowest pay for Project Engineer I - Construction?

The lowest pay for Project Engineer I - Construction is $70,321.

4. What are the responsibilities of Project Engineer I - Construction?

Provides technical oversight, review, and engineering analysis of construction projects to ensure compliance with time, budget, quality, and regulatory requirements. Reviews and approves specifications, designs, bids, contracts, drawings, change orders, and progress reports. Monitors project progress. Identifies and assesses engineering project risks, and develops mitigation strategies and solutions. Facilitates collaboration among project stakeholders, including architects, contractors, suppliers, and regulatory authorities. Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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