Civil Construction Engineer Salary in California

How much does a Civil Construction Engineer make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Civil Construction Engineer in California is $83,885 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.

However, a Civil Construction Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $96,921
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $78,204 to $90,709
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $73,032

Key Factors That Influence Civil Construction Engineer Salaries

A Civil Construction Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Civil Construction Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Civil Construction Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $82,464
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $100,398
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $117,679
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $137,840
  • Expert (over 8 years): $164,620
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Civil Construction Engineer less than 1 year $82,464
Civil Engineer II 1-2 years $100,398
Civil Engineer III 2-4 years $117,679
Civil Engineer IV 5-8 years $137,840
Civil Engineer V over 8 years $164,620

Top Paying Cities for Civil Construction Engineer

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $84,030
  • West Hollywood: $83,969
  • Dodgertown: $84,029

Civil Construction Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Civil Construction Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Insurance sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Civil Construction Engineer positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Civil Construction Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Civil Construction Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities $109,051 $52.0 30%
Insurance $104,857 $50.0 25%
Biotechnology $100,662 $48.0 20%
Pharmaceuticals $100,662 $48.0 20%
Software & Networking $96,468 $46.0 15%

Civil Construction Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Civil Construction Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$78,204
Average $83,885/year
$90,709
$6,517
Average $6,990/month
$7,559
$1,504
Average $1,613/week
$1,744
$38
Average $40/hour
$44
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $90,709 $7,559 $1,744 $44
Average $83,885 $6,990 $1,613 $40
25th Percentile $78,204 $6,517 $1,504 $38

Find Your Next Civil Construction Engineer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Civil Construction Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • RICK | Riverside, CA

    RICK | Riverside, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. If you are looking for a place to grow your career and make a difference – RICK is the place for you. As an Associate Pro... more

    9 Days Ago

  • YELLOW VEST CONSTRUCTION INC | Gilroy, CA

    YELLOW VEST CONSTRUCTION INC | Gilroy, CA

    Job Description. Job Description.  . Benefits/Perks. Competitive Compensation. Great Work Environment. Career Advancement Opportunities. Job Summary. We ar... more

    10 Days Ago

  • Southern California Edison | Ventura, CA

    Southern California Edison | Ventura, CA

    u00a0u00a0Join the Clean Energy Revolutionu00a0Become an Underground Civil Construction Manager at Southern California Edison (SCE) and build a better tomo... more

    7 Days Ago

  • PG&E Corporation | Palo Cedro, CA

    PG&E Corporation | Palo Cedro, CA

    Position SummaryThe Substation Construction Inspection organization is headquartered in Vacaville, CA. Our Senior Inspectors work at various Substation con... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Jacobs | Irvine, CA

    Jacobs | Irvine, CA

    We are looking for a Senior Construction Civil Inspector at our Irvine, CA location to perform inspection of work such as grading HMA and PCC paving, traff... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Outback Contractors, Inc. | Red Bluff, CA

    Outback Contractors, Inc. | Red Bluff, CA

    Civil Estimator - $100,000 - $155,000 annually Outback Contractors, Inc.is seeking an experienced civil construction estimator to take ownership of prepari... more

    10 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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