Civil Engineer Salary in Fullerton, CA: $121,367 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Fullerton, CA earns a median $121,367/year (≈ $58.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Fullerton's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $107,309 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fullerton, California, civil engineers are seeing competitive compensation largely influenced by the recent Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which has invigorated local infrastructure projects. The projected median annual salary for civil engineers in 2026 is $121,367, significantly above the national median of $103,492, reflecting a premium of 17.27%. Salaries vary widely in this market, with a range from $78,959 at the lower end to $188,119 at the upper end, highlighting the diversity in roles and experience levels within the profession. These figures are based on estimates derived from the 2025 BLS data and adjusted for the regional cost of living, which impacts job market dynamics in Fullerton.
About the Fullerton Market
Salary estimated from California average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,959 | $37.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,540 | $44.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $121,367 | $58.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,350 | $74.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $188,119 | $90.44 |
Median Salary Position
17.27% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fullerton
In Fullerton, CA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,160 (2026 est.). At $121,367, the local median is 17.27% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fullerton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fullerton Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Fullerton median: $121,367/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fullerton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $118,176 | +2.70% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +17.27% more |
Civil Engineers in Fullerton, CA earn a median of $121,367 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.27% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 2.70% above the California state average of $118,176.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fullerton has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fullerton, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $121,367 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $107,309 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,097
2025 BLS Actual
$118,257
2026 Current Est.
$121,367
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Fullerton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,097 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,868 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,258 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,474 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,452 | Actual |
| 2024 | $145,228 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,257 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $121,367 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,559 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fullerton metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $102,097 (2019) to $118,257 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,559 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,462 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fullerton 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) | $78,959 – $93,540 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,540 – $121,367 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $121,367 – $155,350 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,350 – $188,119 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Fullerton
With 25 civil engineers currently employed in Fullerton, the local job market remains active, yet competitive. The cost of living index of 113.1 indicates a higher-than-average financial landscape, which can affect the purchasing power of take-home salaries. Major employers in the area include prominent engineering firms like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, as well as Fortune 500 construction companies such as Bechtel and Fluor, which typically offer higher salaries than small firms or government roles. The range in civil engineer pay in Fullerton, CA, stems from various factors including project specialization such as structural versus geotechnical engineering, the PE license requirement for senior positions, and the ongoing demand created by infrastructure projects driven by BIL funding. Aspiring engineers can enhance their earnings potential by pursuing the PE designation and gaining experience in high-demand areas, ultimately positioning themselves for roles with leading firms in this growth-oriented market.
More salary data for Fullerton, 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 $118,257 for civil engineersin the Fullerton 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 Fullerton 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