verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Civil Engineer Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$122,500/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$58.89/hr
▲ 21% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
55,180
public U.S. Median
$100,840
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$110,639 #10 of 51

Civil Engineer pay in California, explained

Civil engineers in California earn a median of $122,500 per year ($58.89 per hour), which is 21% above the national median of $100,840. Entry-level workers earn around $77,980, while the most experienced civil engineers reach about $175,940. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $122,500 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $122,500 is worth about $110,639 in national buying power — ranking California #10 for real pay (vs #1 on the sticker number).

See the full Civil Engineer Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Civil Engineer pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$77,980
$37.49/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$122,500
$58.89/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$175,940
$84.59/hr

Civil Engineer pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $122,500 $110,639
Oregon $105,250 $101,828 +$17,250
Nevada $104,310 $104,332 +$18,190
Arizona $89,660 $89,057 +$32,840

Civil Engineer in California: FAQ

How much do civil engineers make in California?

Civil engineers in California earn a median of $122,500 per year ($58.89 per hour), compared with $100,840 nationally.

Does California pay civil engineers well?

At $122,500, California pays 21% above the national median for civil engineers. An estimated 55,180 work in the state.

Civil Engineer salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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