Are you considering a civil engineering career in California, or looking to benchmark your current compensation in the Golden State?
We have conducted a comprehensive analysis of 747 civil engineering positions across California to provide insights into the civil engineer salary landscape. This article details civil engineer salary in California for 2025, exploring civil engineering compensation and the key factors that influence pay as revealed by the data.
Average Civil Engineer Salary in California
The median California civil engineer salary is $102,500 USD per year or $49.28 USD per hour. This figure provides insight into civil engineering salaries in the state and serves as a benchmark for the engineering salary across California.
Salary Range Overview
Factors Influencing Civil Engineers Salaries
Educational Level
Average Salary by Education Level
The data reveals a fascinating insight: while a master’s degree commands a premium of about $6,400 annually over a bachelor’s degree, the real story is in the accessibility of the field. With over 84% of positions requiring only a bachelor’s degree, civil engineering remains one of the more accessible high-paying engineering disciplines. However, here’s where it gets interesting: 6% salary bump for a master’s degree might not seem substantial, but when you consider the specialised roles and faster career progression it often enables, the long-term ROI of a civil engineering degree becomes more compelling.
Education Requirements Distribution
Civil engineering positions in California overwhelmingly require a bachelor’s degree as the minimum educational requirement. What’s particularly striking is the minimal presence of PhD requirements (less than 1%), suggesting that unlike some engineering fields, civil engineering values practical experience over academic credentials. This data provides valuable insight for those wondering whether to pursue advanced degrees – in most cases, gaining relevant work experience might be more valuable than additional schooling.
Years of Experience
The data shows a critical inflection point at the 3-year mark, where civil engineering salaries jump by over 8% from the previous year. This suggests that the transition from junior to mid-level represents a crucial career milestone. But what if you’re already at the median? The progression from 5 to 8 years shows another significant leap – a 21% increase that coincides with many engineers obtaining their Professional Engineer (PE) license. This credential, typically requiring 4-5 years of experience, appears to be a game-changer for civil engineering compensation.
| Years of Experience | Percentage of Jobs | Number of Positions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 16.01% | 69 |
| 2 years | 20.88% | 90 |
| 3 years | 29.47% | 127 |
| 4 years | 11.83% | 51 |
| 5 years | 21.81% | 94 |
Seniority Level
The progression from internship to senior level represents a remarkable 165% increase in compensation. What’s particularly intriguing is that “Senior” positions command significantly higher salaries than “Manager” roles – a 24% premium. This suggests that in California’s civil engineering market, technical expertise is valued more highly than people management skills. For engineers facing the classic “technical track vs. management track” dilemma, this data provides a compelling argument for staying technical.
Remote Work
| Work Arrangement | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Number of Positions |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | $111,992 | 122 |
| Onsite | $105,785.10 | 612 |
| Remote | $105,336.10 | 13 |
Here’s a trend that might reshape your job search strategy: hybrid positions offer a 6% premium over fully onsite roles. With only 1.7% of positions being fully remote, civil engineering remains a field where physical presence matters. However, the 16% of positions offering hybrid arrangements represent a sweet spot – higher pay with some flexibility. This reflects the reality that while you can’t inspect a construction site from your couch, much of the design and planning work can be done remotely.
Location
| City | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Laguna Hills | $200,000 | $96.15 |
| Commerce | $176,800 | $85.00 |
| McKinleyville | $176,800 | $85.00 |
| Aliso Viejo | $165,000 | $79.33 |
| Tahoe Vista | $159,931.20 | $76.89 |
| Santa Cruz | $157,500 | $75.72 |
| Richmond | $157,375 | $75.66 |
| Modesto | $155,000 | $74.52 |
| Walnut | $152,500 | $73.32 |
| South Lake Tahoe | $151,428 | $72.80 |
| Castro Valley | $149,734.30 | $71.99 |
| Stockton | $148,050 | $71.18 |
| San Francisco Bay Area | $147,588 | $70.96 |
Surprisingly, Laguna Hills in Orange County leads with the highest civil engineer salaries in California, offering double the median state salary. This isn’t your typical tech hub premium – it’s likely driven by the concentration of high-end infrastructure projects and water management systems in South Orange County. The absence of Los Angeles and San Diego from the top spots challenges conventional wisdom about where to find the best-paying civil engineering jobs.
Top Paying Companies in California
While comprehensive company-specific data for California civil engineering firms requires further research, our analysis reveals that specialized engineering consultancies, major infrastructure contractors, and government agencies typically offer the most competitive compensation packages. Companies involved in California’s massive infrastructure projects – including high-speed rail, water management systems, and seismic retrofitting – tend to pay premium salaries due to the specialized expertise required.
The highest-paying employers include:
| Company Name | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Hourly Salary (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Paragon Forensics | 200,000 | 96.15 |
| Atlas | 194,000 | 93.27 |
| Zephyr Rail | 192,000 | 92.31 |
| Chevron | 182,250 | 87.62 |
| Hill International | 175,000 | 84.13 |
| Goodwin Recruiting | 165,000 | 79.33 |
| MKN | 163,750 | 78.73 |
| NORTH TAHOE PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT | 159,931.20 | 76.89 |
| Ifland Engineers | 157,500 | 75.72 |
| RKA CONSULTING GROUP | 152,500 | 73.32 |
| West Search Partners | 152,500 | 73.32 |
| South Tahoe Public Utility District | 151,428 | 72.80 |
| US Army Corps of Engineers | 150,567 | 72.39 |
| Latitude 33 Planning & Engineering | 150,000 | 72.12 |
| Premier Group | 150,000 | 72.12 |
How to Maximize Your Salary Potential
Based on our comprehensive data analysis, we recommend the following strategies to optimize your civil engineering salary in California:
- Pursue Your PE License Strategically – The data shows significant salary jumps around the 4-5 year mark, coinciding with PE eligibility
- Consider Hybrid Opportunities – These positions offer 6% higher salaries than traditional onsite roles
- Specialize in High-Demand Areas – Water resources, seismic engineering, and transportation command premiums in California
- Time Your Job Changes – The 3-year and 6-year marks show the highest salary growth potential
Key Skills to Develop:
- Technical Competencies: AutoCAD Civil 3D, Revit, SAP2000, HEC-RAS
- Emerging Technologies: BIM coordination, drone surveying, sustainable design practices
- Software Skills: GIS applications, project management software
- Specialised Areas: Seismic design, water resources, transportation planning, environmental compliance
Explore our detailed article on the Civil Engineering Skills Required in 2025
The data presented in this article was compiled through an analysis of 747 publicly available civil engineering salaries in California. Salaries, required education levels, experience expectations, seniority titles, and locations were extracted and analysed to identify trends and calculate average and median figures. The data analysis was completed in 2025, providing the most up-to-date information on civil engineer pay in California. We also referenced the ASCE salary report and ASCE salary calculator to ensure our findings align with industry standards.
Conclusion
The civil engineering profession offers strong earning potential across California, with the median civil engineering salary reaching $102,500 USD annually. While education provides a foundation, the data reveals that experience and specialization have more significant impacts on compensation than advanced degrees.
For civil engineers looking to maximize their earning potential, the path is clear: gain solid experience, pursue your PE license around the 4-year mark, consider hybrid work arrangements, and don’t overlook smaller cities that might offer surprising compensation packages. We know job searching can be overwhelming, but understanding these salary trends and market dynamics will help you negotiate competitive civil engineering compensation packages and advance your career effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
