Civil Engineers Salary in San Luis Obispo, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

Median annual salary $110,920 +11.4% vs national
Median hourly $53.33
10th percentile $76,350
90th percentile $160,680
Employed locally 680
National median $99,590

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Civil Engineers
in
San Luis Obispo, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $76,350
    25th
    $84,840
    50th (median)
    $110,920
    75th
    $134,830
    90th
    $160,680

    San Luis Obispo economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $93,398 2023 • Census ACS
    Civil Engineers salary vs area income 119% Median Civil Engineers salary is 19% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Civil Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $130,310
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $129,260
    Redding, CA $127,130
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $126,560
    Napa, CA $122,820
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $121,170

    Nearby metros — Civil Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $130,310
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $129,260
    Redding, CA $127,130
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $126,560
    Napa, CA $122,820
    California $118,450

    Related occupations in San Luis Obispo, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Architectural and Civil Drafters $68,630
    Mechanical Engineers $102,200
    Engineers, All Other $119,810
    Electrical Engineers $129,070
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval $97,860
    Industrial Engineers $97,530

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Civil Engineers make per hour in San Luis Obispo?

    The median hourly wage for Civil Engineers in San Luis Obispo, CA is $53.33, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $78.79 or more per hour.

    Is San Luis Obispo above or below average for Civil Engineers salaries?

    The median Civil Engineers salary in San Luis Obispo, CA is 11.4% 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 Luis Obispo?

    Entry-level Civil Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $76,350 per year in San Luis Obispo, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $84,840.