As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Structural Engineer IV in California is $136,684 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $66.
However, a Structural Engineer IV's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Structural Engineer IV Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $147,462 | $12,289 | $2,836 | $71 |
| Average | $136,684 | $11,390 | $2,629 | $66 |
| 25th Percentile | $127,687 | $10,641 | $2,456 | $61 |
Cannon Corp - San Luis Obispo , CA
Cannon Corp - Irvine , CA
Cannon Corp - San Luis Obispo, CA
ORBIS INC. - San Diego, CA
A Structural Engineer IV'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Structural Engineer IV'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Structural Engineer IV | $131,984 |
| Intermediate Level Structural Engineer IV | $132,655 |
| Senior Level Structural Engineer IV | $133,327 |
| Specialist Level Structural Engineer IV | $135,744 |
| Expert Level Structural Engineer IV | $141,027 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Structural Engineer IVs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Understanding how a Structural Engineer IV'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $147,462 | $12,289 | $2,836 | $71 |
| Average | $136,684 | $11,390 | $2,629 | $66 |
| 25th Percentile | $127,687 | $10,641 | $2,456 | $61 |
For a Structural Engineer IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Civil Engineer V role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $163,296 - a projected growth of 19% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Structural Engineer IV job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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