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60 Transportation engineer jobs in Columbus, OH

5 of the Highest Paying Transportation Engineer Jobs in 2026

The best Transportation Engineer jobs can pay up to $115,000 per year.

Transportation engineers plan, design, and implement transportation systems. Transportation engineers consider traffic, population, and other factors to determine the need for a new form of transportation, such as train lines, buses, subways, or new roads, in a specific area or region. They identify methods for incorporating the new form of transportation to reduce local traffic, meet the needs of the community, and fit into the designated budget. Transportation engineers are vital parts of the team that designs public transportation paths and creates highways, bridges, and other structures that enable transportation. Similar job titles include construction engineer, transportation planner, port engineer, and traffic engineer.

A transportation engineer helps to develop and improve public modes of transportation. Transportation engineers also design and plan highways, bridges, and airport runways. Much of their planning and design work takes place in an office setting; they utilize a drafting table to create blueprints and use computer software to form 3D models. In some cases, transportation engineers may visit the construction site to check on the progress of the project or advise construction workers on the next phase. Occasionally, a transportation engineer may be required to attend meetings at a government office or city hall meeting to advise on how the new transportation may impact the community.

High Paying Transportation Engineer Jobs

List of the top 5 highest paying Transportation Engineer positions in 2026, with salary ranges, according to ZipRecruiter.

  • Civil Transportation Engineer

    Salary range: $77,000 - $115,000

    The duties of a civil transportation engineer include the construction and maintenance of various transport systems and infrastructure design for roads, railways, airports, and canals. Responsibilities include reading and making edits to proposals drafted by other engineers, analyzing engineering data and schematics using CAD software, and recommending driving policies. You develop budgets and schedules for projects, manage a design team in some cases, work on all project phases including creating proposals and reviewing final work, while also mentoring junior staff and ensuring all projects meet quality standards and client requirements.

  • Transportation Planning Engineer

    Salary range: $72,000 - $96,500

    The majority of Transportation Planning Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $72,000 (25th percentile) and $96,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Transportation Planning Engineer job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

  • Transportation Design Engineer

    Salary range: $77,500 - $95,500

    The majority of Transportation Design Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $77,500 (25th percentile) and $95,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Transportation Design Engineer job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

  • Transportation Planner

    Salary range: $68,500 - $81,500

    A transportation planner develops plans for a city’s public transit system. As a transportation planner, you work alongside urban planners, engineers, and other professionals to create a comprehensive plan that benefits all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and those using powered transportation. Your primary job duties involve analyzing data, assessing the proposed land use area, reviewing local policies, and creating detailed proposals. Most transportation planners work on projects for cities and government agencies.

  • Transportation Engineering Technician

    Salary range: $45,000 - $58,500

    The majority of Transportation Engineering Technician salaries across the United States currently range between $45,000 (25th percentile) and $58,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Transportation Engineering Technician job market in the United States is not very active as few companies are currently hiring for this role. You can try exploring related titles to find jobs with more active opportunities.

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