Civil Engineers Salary in San Diego, CA
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Median annual salary
$106,350
+6.8% vs national
Median hourly
$51.13
10th percentile
$78,000
90th percentile
$164,060
Employed locally
6,390
National median
$99,590
Compare Civil Engineers salary & buying power
Type a city below to see how San Diego, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.
Civil Engineers
in
San Diego, CA
vs
Salary percentile breakdown
San Diego economic context
Unemployment rate
4.30%
2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
Median household income
$102,285
2023 • Census ACS
Civil Engineers salary vs area income
104%
Median Civil Engineers salary is 4% above the area median household income
Frequently asked questions
How much do Civil Engineers make per hour in San Diego?
The median hourly wage for Civil Engineers in San Diego, CA is $51.13, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $80.02 or more per hour.
Is San Diego above or below average for Civil Engineers salaries?
The median Civil Engineers salary in San Diego, CA is 6.8% above the national median of $99,590. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.
What is the entry-level salary for Civil Engineers in San Diego?
Entry-level Civil Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $78,000 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $89,140.