Engineering San Diego, CA Pop. 1,386,932

Civil Engineer Salary in San Diego, California

The median civil engineer salary in San Diego, CA is $127,715 per year, which is 42.0% above the national median and 2.9% above the California state average.

City Median
$127,715
vs State Avg
+$3,598
vs National
+$37,775
Cost of Living
142%

Civil Engineer Salary in San Diego by Experience

In San Diego, an entry-level civil engineer earns around $88,040, while experienced professionals earn up to $184,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 142% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$88,040
+$26,040 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$127,800
+$37,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$184,600
+$54,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Diego, CA

Percentile San Diego
10th Percentile $85,768
25th Percentile $103,944
Median (50th) $127,715
75th Percentile $161,880
90th Percentile $196,812

Civil Engineer Salary in Other California Cities

San Francisco, CA
$163,691
Pop. 873,965
San Jose, CA
$151,099
Pop. 1,013,240
Los Angeles, CA
$131,312
Pop. 3,898,747
Sacramento, CA
$106,129
Pop. 524,943

How to Become a Civil Engineer in San Diego

Education

Most civil engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. San Diego and the surrounding California area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

AutoCADStructural AnalysisProject ManagementGISConstruction ManagementPE License

Job Outlook

Nationally, civil engineer employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in San Diego may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Civil Engineer Jobs in San Diego

Browse open civil engineer positions in San Diego, CA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Engineer Salary in San Diego

How much does a Civil Engineer make in San Diego, CA? ▼
The median civil engineer salary in San Diego, California is $127,715 per year, which is 42.0% above the national median of $89,940. Salaries range from $85,768 (10th percentile) to $196,812 (90th percentile).
How much does a Civil Engineer make per hour in San Diego? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $127,715, a civil engineer in San Diego earns approximately $61 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Diego compare to the California state average for civil engineer pay? ▼
San Diego's median civil engineer salary of $127,715 is 2.9% above the California state average of $124,117. The local cost of living index is 142% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in San Diego, CA? ▼
San Diego has a cost of living index of 142% compared to the national average. This means a civil engineer salary of $127,715 in San Diego has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a civil engineer in San Diego? ▼
Most civil engineer positions in San Diego require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include AutoCAD, Structural Analysis, Project Management, GIS. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.