Civil Engineer Salary in Brentwood, CA: $117,850 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Brentwood, CA earns a median $117,850/year (≈ $56.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Brentwood's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $104,200 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in Brentwood, California, can anticipate a median annual salary of $117,850 in 2026, reflecting a 13.87% increase over the national benchmark of $103,492. The compensation for civil engineers in this region spans from a low of $76,892 to a high of $182,668, with a notable growth rate projected at 2.63% annually. This competitive salary landscape, shaped by estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local regional price parities, reveals the value placed on engineering expertise in a community that is likely to see increased infrastructure investments. As job opportunities evolve, the progression from Engineer-in-Training (EIT) to Professional Engineer (PE) status not only provides a pathway to advanced roles but also makes a significant difference in earning potential.
About the Brentwood Market
Salary estimated from California average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,892 | $36.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,386 | $43.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $117,850 | $56.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $150,542 | $72.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $182,668 | $87.82 |
Median Salary Position
13.87% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brentwood
In Brentwood, CA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $105,776 (2026 est.). At $117,850, the local median is 13.87% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brentwood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brentwood Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Brentwood median: $117,850/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brentwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $118,205 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | +13.87% more |
Civil Engineers in Brentwood, CA earn a median of $117,850 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.87% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 0.30% below the California state average of $118,205.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brentwood has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brentwood, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $117,850 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $104,200 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$99,138
2025 BLS Actual
$114,830
2026 Current Est.
$117,850
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Brentwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,138 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,858 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,266 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,418 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,193 | Actual |
| 2024 | $141,019 | Actual |
| 2025 | $114,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,850 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $120,949 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brentwood metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $99,138 (2019) to $114,830 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $120,949 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,811 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brentwood metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $76,892 – $90,386 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,386 – $117,850 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $117,850 – $150,542 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $150,542 – $182,668 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Brentwood
In Brentwood, a small but active job market employs 13 civil engineers, creating a niche sector where the cost of living index sits at 113.1. This translates to a demand for robust salaries to maintain purchasing power amidst rising living costs. Local employers are varied, with engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs often offering some of the highest salaries. The disparity in pay spans several factors, including the importance of obtaining a PE license, which separates entry-level positions from higher-paying senior roles; the specialty within civil engineering disciplines like transportation or structural engineering; and the tier of firms, where top-tier consulting firms offer better compensation than mid-tier or governmental positions. With infrastructure spending driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, civil engineers should focus on developing their professional networks and pursuing relevant certifications to maximize their opportunities and negotiation power in this evolving market.
More salary data for Brentwood, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do civil engineers make in Brentwood, CA in 2026?
Is Brentwood, CA a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Can civil engineers make $100K in Brentwood?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted civil engineer salary in Brentwood?
How much does a civil engineer make per hour in Brentwood?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
Written by Jordan Chen, P.E.
Career Analyst
Jordan Chen has 10 years of experience in structural engineering. He works primarily in urban infrastructure projects.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $114,830 for civil engineersin the Brentwood metropolitan area. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brentwood is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for civil engineers (SOC 17-2051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov