California pays civil engineers more than any other state — its $118,450 median leads all 50 states and D.C. reporting wage data.
Civil Engineers are more concentrated in California than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 1.31 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.31× the national share.
California employs roughly 15.4% of all civil engineers in the country (54,640 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $77,620 | $37.32 |
| 25th percentile | $94,450 | $45.41 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $118,450 | $56.95 |
| 75th percentile | $145,730 | $70.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,760 | $82.58 |
| Mean (average) | $122,050 | $58.68 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $118,450 | n/a |
| Rhode Island | $112,250 | -5% |
| Alaska | $107,240 | -9% |
| Washington | $105,090 | -11% |
| New Mexico | $104,600 | -12% |
| Massachusetts | $104,450 | -12% |
| Mississippi | $103,940 | -12% |
| New Jersey | $103,690 | -12% |
| Oregon | $103,070 | -13% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| School Psychologists | $118,310 | 9,350 |
| Occupational Therapists | $119,470 | 12,020 |
| Web Developers | $117,380 | 10,820 |
| Computer Programmers | $116,220 | 14,720 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | $120,840 | 9,240 |
| Speech-Language Pathologists | $116,000 | 14,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Civil Engineers salary in California?
The mean civil engineers salary in California is $122,050 per year. The median (middle) salary is $118,450 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Civil Engineers in California?
Entry-level civil engineerss (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $77,620 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $94,450 per year.
What is the highest Civil Engineers salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately $171,760 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $145,730 per year.
How does the California Civil Engineers salary compare to the national average?
The median civil engineers salary in California is $118,450, which is +19% above national average of $99,590.