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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Civil Engineering Designer in California is $118,943 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.
However, a Civil Engineering Designer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Civil Engineering Designer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $127,899 | $10,658 | $2,460 | $61 |
| Average | $118,943 | $9,912 | $2,287 | $57 |
| 25th Percentile | $108,748 | $9,062 | $2,091 | $52 |
CEI Engineering Associates - Fresno, CA
KPFF Consulting Engineers - San Francisco, CA
Essel - Roseville, CA
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - Fullerton, CA
A Civil Engineering Designer'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 Engineering Designer'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 Eng... Level Civil Engineering Designer | $83,844 |
| Civil Eng... Level Civil Engineering Designer | $102,083 |
| Civil Eng... Level Civil Engineering Designer | $119,651 |
| Civil Eng... Level Civil Engineering Designer | $140,146 |
| Civil Eng... Level Civil Engineering Designer | $167,382 |
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 Engineering Designers. 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 Engineering Designer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Civil Engineering Designer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Energy & Utilities typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Civil Engineering Designer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $148,679 | $71.0 | 25% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $142,732 | $69.0 | 20% |
| Transportation | $140,353 | $67.0 | 18% |
| Financial Services | $136,785 | $66.0 | 15% |
| MFG Durable | $133,216 | $64.0 | 12% |
Understanding how a Civil Engineering Designer'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 | $127,899 | $10,658 | $2,460 | $61 |
| Average | $118,943 | $9,912 | $2,287 | $57 |
| 25th Percentile | $108,748 | $9,062 | $2,091 | $52 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Civil Engineering Designer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Jobot
Los Angeles, CA
Jobot | Los Angeles, CA
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Arena Family of Companies
Costa Mesa, CA
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Every young engineering team has a moment where they need someone who has already been through the fire. Someone whose calm in a chaotic project meeting te... more
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CHA Solutions
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RICK ENGINEERING COMPANY
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San Diego, CA
RICK | San Diego, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Rick Engineering Company (RICK) is seeking a confident and motivated Associate Engineering Designer to join our Land Deve... more
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