Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Civil Project Engineer in California is $97,832 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.
However, a Civil Project Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI Onboarding
Smart Recruiting
Civil Project Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $106,952 | $8,913 | $2,057 | $51 |
| Average | $97,832 | $8,153 | $1,881 | $47 |
| 25th Percentile | $88,228 | $7,352 | $1,697 | $42 |
PG&E Corporation - Fresno, CA
PG&E Corporation - Oakland, CA
PG&E Corporation - West Sacramento, CA
Siegfried Engineering - Stockton, CA
A Civil Project 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Civil Project 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Civil Pro... Level Civil Project Engineer | $97,161 |
| Project E... Level Civil Project Engineer | $110,651 |
| Project E... Level Civil Project Engineer | $131,896 |
| Project E... Level Civil Project Engineer | $150,870 |
| Project E... Level Civil Project Engineer | $177,038 |
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 Civil Project Engineers. 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:
For Civil Project Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Civil Project Engineer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Civil Project Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $127,181 | $61.0 | 30% |
| Software & Networking | $127,181 | $61.0 | 30% |
| Financial Services | $122,289 | $59.0 | 25% |
| Energy & Utilities | $117,398 | $56.0 | 20% |
| Internet | $117,398 | $56.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Civil Project 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $106,952 | $8,913 | $2,057 | $51 |
| Average | $97,832 | $8,153 | $1,881 | $47 |
| 25th Percentile | $88,228 | $7,352 | $1,697 | $42 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Civil Project Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
NICHOLS CONSULTING ENGINEERS CHTD
Anaheim, CA
NICHOLS CONSULTING ENGINEERS CHTD | Anaheim, CA
Job Description. Job Description. NCE is seeking a Project Civil Engineer to join our growing office in Anaheim, CA. This role is an exciting opportunity t... more
9 Days Ago
RTM Engineering Consultants, LLC
Corona, CA
RTM Engineering Consultants, LLC | Corona, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Position: Civil Engineer IV. Location: Corona, CA / Irvine, CA. Years of Experience: 10+ Years. About RTM. RTM Engineerin... more
11 Days Ago
RICK ENGINEERING COMPANY
San Diego, CA
RICK ENGINEERING COMPANY | San Diego, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Looking for a place to grow your career and make a difference. RICK is the place for you. As a Project Engineer/Manager i... more
11 Days Ago
RICK
San Diego, CA
RICK | San Diego, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Looking for a place to grow your career and make a difference. RICK is the place for you. As a Project Engineer/Manager i... more
11 Days Ago
Jobot
Riverside, CA
Jobot | Riverside, CA
This Jobot Job is hosted by: Forrest Mack. Are you a fit. Easy Apply now by clicking the "Apply" buttonand sending us your resume. Salary: $120,000 - $200,... more
13 Days Ago
Jobot
San Diego, CA
Jobot | San Diego, CA
Wanted: Experienced Senior Project Engineer – Civil Engineering in San Diego | CA Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer required. This Jobot Job is... more
13 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
