Civil Engineers Salary in California
Civil Engineers in California earn a median annual wage of $122,500 —21.5% above the national median of $100,840. That ranks CA #1 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is 1.28× as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Highest-paying states for civil engineers
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $122,500 | $58.89 | 55,180 | 1.28 |
| 2 | Alaska | $114,730 | $55.16 | 1,670 | 2.17 |
| 3 | Washington | $110,000 | $52.89 | 12,590 | 1.50 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $106,730 | $51.31 | 9,450 | 1.10 |
| 5 | Louisiana | $105,380 | $50.66 | 3,780 | 0.82 |
| 6 | Oregon | $105,250 | $50.60 | 4,890 | 1.05 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $104,660 | $50.32 | 6,900 | 0.68 |
| 8 | Nevada | $104,310 | $50.15 | 3,560 | 0.97 |
| 9 | New Mexico | $103,900 | $49.95 | 1,350 | 0.66 |
| 10 | District of Columbia | $103,880 | $49.94 | 1,650 | 0.99 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineers | $124,600 | $102,440 |
| Mechanical Engineers | $130,900 | $104,110 |
| Electrical Engineers | $144,040 | $120,630 |
| Engineers, All Other | $130,850 | $122,930 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $108,540 | $99,280 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $76,520 | $66,150 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do civil engineers make in California?
The median annual wage for civil engineers in California is $122,500, or $58.89 per hour. That is 21.5% above the national median of $100,840.
What is the entry-level civil engineers salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $77,980 per year ($37.49/hour). The 25th percentile is $96,590.
How many people work as civil engineers in California?
About 55,180 people work in this occupation in California, or 3.0 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for civil engineers?
California ranks #1 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.28x as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Which state pays civil engineers the most?
California has the highest median wage at $122,500 per year, followed by Alaska ($114,730) and Washington ($110,000).