Based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data — updated August 12, 2026.
| California | National | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $122,500 | $102,499 | +20% |
| Median hourly wage | $58.89 | $49.28 | +20% |
Adjusted for local price levels (100 = national average), the cost-adjusted median is $110,659.
| City | Median | Entry Level | Experienced | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $148,630 | $100,750 | $193,750 | 244 |
| Oakland | $134,246 | $91,000 | $175,000 | 196 |
| Los Angeles | $122,739 | $83,200 | $160,000 | 173 |
| Long Beach | $115,068 | $78,000 | $150,000 | 153 |
| San Diego | $113,150 | $76,700 | $147,500 | 161 |
| Sacramento | $103,561 | $70,200 | $135,000 | 130 |
| Fresno | $91,096 | $61,750 | $118,750 | 105 |
The median annual salary for a Civil Engineer in California is $122,500, or about $58.89 per hour, according to BLS OEWS data.
The national median for Civil Engineers is $102,499. California is +20% above the national median.
Entry-level civil engineers in California typically earn from $100,750 depending on the city and employer.
With 55,180 civil engineer jobs on record and a median salary of $122,500, California offers above-average pay compared to the rest of the country.