Civil Engineers Salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Civil Engineers in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA make a median of $106,350 a year, or about $51.13 an hour. The range runs from $78K at the entry level to $164K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.89), so that salary is closer to $95,049 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,001/month — about 45.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $106K get you in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
About civil engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Entry-level civil engineers (10th percentile) start around $78K. Mid-career wages sit at $106K.Top earners bring in $164K or more - a $86K 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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do civil engineers make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median is $106,350 a year - that works out to about $51.13 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $78,000, and experienced civil engineers can clear $164,060. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $106K enough to live in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,431/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,001/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 46.7% 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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad has a Regional Price Parity of 111.89 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median civil engineers salary is worth about $95,049 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.