Civil engineer salary in California

The average salary for a Civil Engineer is $116,525 per year in California. This figure is based on 1.1k salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months, last updated on August 9, 2026.

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Civil Engineer salaries in California typically range between a low of $79,551 and a high of $170,684 per year, depending on experience and the hiring company.

Some of the highest-paying cities for Civil Engineer in California include Oakland, CA at $131,713 per year, San Francisco, CA at $122,132 per year, and San Diego, CA at $121,151 per year.

Based on recent job postings on Indeed, some of the top-paying companies for Civil Engineer in California include FAR Government ($260,000 per year) and MERCOR ($248,295 per year).

Compensation can vary based on the specific niche and level of responsibility within the field. Here is how the average Civil Engineer salary in California compares to related positions:

• Senior Civil Engineer: Average $129,401 per year
• Entry Level Civil Engineer: Average $77,648 per year
• Junior Civil Engineer: Average $95,333 per year