Civil Engineers Salary in California
Civil Engineers in California make a median of $118,450 a year, or about $56.95 an hour. The range runs from $78K at the entry level to $172K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $118K get you in California?
About civil engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level civil engineers (10th percentile) start around $78K. Mid-career wages sit at $118K.Top earners bring in $172K or more - a $94K spread from bottom to top.
Civil Engineers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $118K | +19% | 54,640 |
| Rhode Island | $112K | +13% | 1,200 |
| Alaska | $107K | +8% | 1,540 |
| Washington | $105K | +6% | 11,900 |
| New Mexico | $105K | +5% | 1,400 |
| Massachusetts | $104K | +5% | 9,460 |
| Mississippi | $104K | +4% | 2,050 |
| New Jersey | $104K | +4% | 6,780 |
| Oregon | $103K | +3% | 4,140 |
| New York | $102K | +3% | 17,000 |
| Louisiana | $102K | +3% | 3,170 |
| District of Columbia | $102K | +3% | 1,840 |
| Connecticut | $102K | +2% | 4,130 |
| Minnesota | $101K | +2% | 4,350 |
| Maryland | $100K | +1% | 5,120 |
Track civil engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
Related careers in Engineering
Frequently asked questions
How much do civil engineers make in California?
The median is $118,450 a year - that works out to about $56.95 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $77,620, and experienced civil engineers can clear $171,760. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $118K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,047/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 31.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a civil engineers salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median civil engineers salary is worth about $118,450 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do civil engineers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.