Civil Engineer Salary in California
Based on 55K+ workers in California
Median Annual Salary (CA)
$122,500
$58.89/hr
vs National Average
$99,151
+23.5% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$78K – $176K
55K employed in California
Civil engineers in California earn a median salary of $122,500 per year, significantly outpacing the national average by 24 percent. With over 55,000 civil engineers employed throughout the state, California's robust construction and infrastructure sectors continue to drive strong compensation for this profession. Salaries typically range from $77,980 to $175,940 annually, reflecting considerable variation across experience levels and specializations.
Civil engineer salary in California is shaped by several key factors, including years of experience, professional licensure status, and geographic location within the state. Specializations in high-demand areas like infrastructure development, water management, and seismic engineering often command premium pay. Additionally, the state's higher cost of living and concentration of major construction projects contribute to wages that exceed those in most other regions, though competition for positions remains intense.
Salary Distribution — Civil Engineer in California
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $77,980 |
| 25th percentile | $96,590 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $122,500 |
| 75th percentile | $149,350 |
| 90th percentile | $175,940 |
Top H-1B Employers for Civil Engineer in California
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in California — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Webcor Construction, LP | 6 | $94,702 |
| 2 | Andrew M. Jordan, Inc. | 6 | $132,500 |
| 3 | Arup US, Inc. | 4 | $144,222 |
| 4 | AECOM Technical Services, Inc. | 4 | $173,052 |
| 5 | Peoples Associates Structural Engineers, Inc. | 4 | $91,784 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Civil Engineer H-1B Salary by Wage Level in California
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in California.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | Entry-level | $92,892 | 42 |
| Level II | Qualified | $113,838 | 72 |
| Level III | Experienced | $135,000 | 41 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $160,493 | 23 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Civil Engineer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Civil Engineers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Civil Engineers in California tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $157,120 | 960 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $123,980 | 3K |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $116,320 | 1K |
| Utilities | $112,820 | 2K |
| Finance and Insurance | $109,740 | 600 |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Civil Engineer in California vs National
| Year | Median Salary (California) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $105,300 |
| 2023 | $105,040 |
| 2024 | $118,450 |
| 2025 | $122,500 |
| 2026 (projected) | $126,688 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | California Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $105,300 | $86,235 |
| 2023 | $105,040 | $90,685 |
| 2024 | $118,450 | $96,900 |
| 2025 | $122,500 | $99,151 |
| 2026 (projected) | $126,688 | $102,541 |
Civil Engineer Salary by Experience Level in California
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $96,590 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $122,500 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $149,350 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $175,940 |
Civil Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Civil Engineer Salaries in California
How other high-demand occupations in California compare to Civil Engineer ($122,500 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Civil Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager in CA | $210,280 | +71.7% | $101.10/hr |
| Nuclear Engineer in CA | $172,400 | +40.7% | $82.88/hr |
| Aerospace Engineer in CA | $157,620 | +28.7% | $75.78/hr |
| Electrical Engineer in CA | $144,040 | +17.6% | $69.25/hr |
| Petroleum Engineer in CA | $143,590 | +17.2% | $69.03/hr |
| Mechanical Engineer in CA | $130,900 | +6.9% | $62.93/hr |
| Environmental Engineer in CA | $130,410 | +6.5% | $62.70/hr |
| Materials Engineer in CA | $128,470 | +4.9% | $61.76/hr |
| Biomedical Engineer in CA | $128,310 | +4.7% | $61.69/hr |
| Industrial Engineer in CA | $124,600 | +1.7% | $59.90/hr |
| Marine Engineer in CA | $110,700 | -9.6% | $53.22/hr |
| Radiologic Technologist in CA | $121,260 | -1.0% | $58.30/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do civil engineers make in California?
- Civil engineers in California earn a median salary of $122,500 per year, or $59 per hour. This is significantly higher than the national average, representing a 23.5% premium for working in the state.
What is the salary range for civil engineers in California?
- Civil engineers in California can expect salaries ranging from $77,980 at the lower end to $175,940 at the higher end, depending on experience, specialization, and employer.
Is civil engineering a well-paying job in California?
- Yes, civil engineering is well-compensated in California with a median salary of $122,500 annually, which exceeds the national average by 23.5%. With over 55,180 civil engineers employed in the state, it remains a robust and lucrative career field.
How many civil engineers are employed in California?
- California has a total of 55,180 civil engineers employed, making it a significant hub for the profession with competitive median compensation of $122,500 per year.