Civil Engineer Salary in Elk Grove, CA: $119,945 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Elk Grove, CA earns a median $119,945/year (≈ $57.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Elk Grove's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $106,052 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Elk Grove, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $119,945, which is 15.90% higher than the national median of $103,492 for this profession. This notable compensation reflects the impact of significant infrastructure investments spurred by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), creating a thriving job market for civil engineers in the region. Salaries vary widely, with a range from $76,152 at the 10th percentile to $185,914 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust demand for engineering talent across various experience levels. Local estimates are derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost considerations, highlighting Elk Grove's competitive position in attracting skilled civil engineering professionals.
About the Elk Grove Market
Salary estimated from California average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,152 | $36.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,744 | $43.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $119,945 | $57.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153,529 | $73.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $185,914 | $89.38 |
Median Salary Position
15.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elk Grove
In Elk Grove, CA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,762 (2026 est.). At $119,945, the local median is 15.9% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elk Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elk Grove Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Elk Grove median: $119,945/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elk Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $118,172 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +15.90% more |
Civil Engineers in Elk Grove, CA earn a median of $119,945 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.90% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 1.50% above the California state average of $118,172.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elk Grove has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elk Grove, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $119,945 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $106,052 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,900
2025 BLS Actual
$116,871
2026 Current Est.
$119,945
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Elk Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,650 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,048 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,238 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,134 | Actual |
| 2024 | $143,526 | Actual |
| 2025 | $116,871 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,945 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,099 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elk Grove metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $100,900 (2019) to $116,871 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,099 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,199 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elk Grove 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) | $76,152 – $90,744 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,744 – $119,945 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $119,945 – $153,529 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $153,529 – $185,914 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Elk Grove
Elk Grove’s job market employs around 25 civil engineers, presenting unique opportunities in a city with a cost-of-living index of 113.1, which reflects a local economic climate above the national average. This higher cost of living can influence take-home purchasing power amid increasing salaries. Major employers, such as engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, construction giants like Bechtel and Kiewit, and government entities, typically offer the most competitive pay packages. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to factors such as the necessity of a PE license for higher-tier positions, specialization in fields like structural or geotechnical engineering, and distinctions between private sector firms and government roles. To maximize earnings in Elk Grove, civil engineers should seek out firms that align with their career goals, pursue additional certifications, and remain adaptable to shifting infrastructure dynamics driven by federal funding initiatives.
More salary data for Elk Grove, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $116,871 for civil engineersin the Elk Grove 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 Elk Grove 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