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Civil Engineers Salary in California
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Civil Engineers make in California?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$122,500
Median Annual Salary
▲
+3.4% vs 2024
$124,540
Mean Salary
$122,500
Median Salary
$58.89
Hourly Rate
55,180 people work as Civil Engineers in California
Civil Engineers salary by percentile in California
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Civil Engineers in California earn a median salary of $122,500 per year ($10,208/month).
This is 23.5% above the national average of $99,151.
California ranks #1 out of 51 states for Civil Engineers pay.
Approximately 55,180 people work in this occupation across California.
Salaries increased by 3.4% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Civil Engineers
Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, and water and sewage systems.
Top Skills
Reading Comprehension
4.0
Active Listening
4.0
Writing
4.0
Speaking
4.0
Critical Thinking
4.0
Key Knowledge Areas
Engineering and Technology
4.9
Design
4.77
Transportation
4.55
Building and Construction
4.53
Mathematics
4.48
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
(85.7% of workers)
Salaries for Civil Engineers in California range from $77,980 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $175,940 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $96,590 and $149,350.
The median annual salary for Civil Engineers in California is $122,500 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $124,540.
What is the salary range for a Civil Engineers in California?
Salaries for Civil Engineers in California range from $77,980 at the 10th percentile to $175,940 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $96,590 and $149,350.
What is the starting salary for a Civil Engineers in California?
Entry-level Civil Engineers positions in California typically start around $77,980 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $96,590 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Civil Engineers in California?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 55,180 people are employed as Civil Engineers in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Civil Engineers in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Civil Engineers in California is approximately $58.89 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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