Civil Engineer Salary in Fresno, CA: $122,869 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Fresno, CA earns a median $122,869/year (≈ $59.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Fresno's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 102.2), that paycheck buys what $120,273 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Fresno, California, is witnessing a promising trajectory for civil engineers, with a projected median annual salary of $122,869 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national median of $103,492. Salary ranges in the city span from a low of $76,839 to a high of $169,001, reflecting the diverse opportunities available in consulting, government, and construction sectors. Employers such as AECOM and Jacobs often lead the pay scale in consulting roles, while the California Department of Transportation offers competitive salaries within the public sector. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys, illustrates that California's infrastructure investment is yielding job growth, particularly in a city like Fresno where civil engineers play a critical role in shaping the region's development.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,839 | $36.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,250 | $44.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $122,869 | $59.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $143,579 | $69.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169,001 | $81.25 |
Median Salary Position
18.72% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fresno
In Fresno, CA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $92,162 (2026 est.). At $122,869, the local median is 18.72% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fresno: You'd be above the median
How Fresno Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Fresno median: $122,869/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fresno Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $118,143 | +4.00% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +18.72% more |
Civil Engineers in Fresno, CA earn a median of $122,869 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.72% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 4.00% above the California state average of $118,143.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fresno has a cost of living 2.16% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fresno, CA has a cost-of-living index of 102.158 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $122,869 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $120,273 — a 2.11% 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
$109,260
2025 BLS Actual
$119,720
2026 Current Est.
$122,869
2019–2027 Growth
+15.4%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Fresno (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,010 | Actual |
| 2021 | $110,150 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,840 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $122,869 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $126,100 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fresno metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 9.6% from $109,260 (2019) to $119,720 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $126,100 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,840 (15.41%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fresno 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) | $76,839 – $93,250 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,250 – $122,869 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $122,869 – $143,579 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $143,579 – $169,001 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Fresno
With approximately 1,250 civil engineers employed in Fresno, the local job market is vibrant despite a cost-of-living index of 102.158, slightly above the national average. This means that while salaries are competitive, the actual purchasing power must be considered when planning a career in this city. Employers with the highest compensation typically come from leading engineering consulting firms and Fortune 500 construction companies, which pay more for specialized skills or licenses such as a PE. The significant pay variation can be attributed to factors such as the level of experience, type of engineering specialization, and whether one is positioned in the public or private sector. To maximize potential earnings in Fresno, aspiring civil engineers should focus on obtaining professional licenses, building relationships with prominent local firms, and seeking roles that align with the current infrastructure spending boom driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for Fresno, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do civil engineers make in Fresno, CA in 2026?
Is Fresno, CA a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Can civil engineers make $100K in Fresno?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted civil engineer salary in Fresno?
How much does a civil engineer make per hour in Fresno?
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 $119,720 for civil engineersin the Fresno 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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