Civil Engineer Salary in Milpitas, CA: $114,659 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Milpitas, CA earns a median $114,659/year (≈ $55.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Milpitas's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $101,378 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Milpitas, California, command a median annual salary of $114,659, reflecting the influence of increased infrastructure spending driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). With a salary range extending from $78,979 at the lower 10th percentile to $177,722 at the 90th percentile, these figures are projections based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations. This salary positioning is notably higher than the national median salary for civil engineers, which stands at $103,492, marking a 10.79% premium for local professionals. Such compensation trends are indicative of a growing market in Milpitas, where infrastructure projects are on the rise, thus enhancing the demand for skilled civil engineers in various sectors.
About the Milpitas Market
Salary estimated from California average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,979 | $37.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,066 | $43.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $114,659 | $55.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,764 | $70.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $177,722 | $85.44 |
Median Salary Position
10.79% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Milpitas
In Milpitas, CA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $98,743 (2026 est.). At $114,659, the local median is 10.79% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Milpitas: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Milpitas Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Milpitas median: $114,659/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Milpitas Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $118,205 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | +10.79% more |
Civil Engineers in Milpitas, CA earn a median of $114,659 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.79% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 3.00% below the California state average of $118,205.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Milpitas has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Milpitas, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $114,659 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,378 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,454
2025 BLS Actual
$111,721
2026 Current Est.
$114,659
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Milpitas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,454 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,127 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,551 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,645 | Actual |
| 2023 | $106,237 | Actual |
| 2024 | $137,201 | Actual |
| 2025 | $111,721 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $114,659 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $117,675 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Milpitas metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $96,454 (2019) to $111,721 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $117,675 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,221 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Milpitas 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) | $78,979 – $91,066 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,066 – $114,659 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $114,659 – $146,764 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,764 – $177,722 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Milpitas
On the employment landscape, Milpitas hosts 16 civil engineers, pointing to a specialized market with competitive salaries. Given the area's cost of living index at 113.1, higher than the national average, professionals must consider their purchasing power carefully. Top employers such as AECOM and Jacobs tend to offer the most lucrative opportunities, aligning with the demand for specialized skills in areas like structural or transportation engineering. The disparity in pay levels can often be attributed to factors like the possession of a PE license, which can greatly affect salary trajectories, and the employer type—consulting firms typically outpace government positions in compensation. To maximize earning potential within this market, pursuing a PE credential and specializing in in-demand engineering niches while exploring opportunities within major firms would be advantageous strategies for those questioning how much do civil engineers make in Milpitas.
More salary data for Milpitas, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do civil engineers make in Milpitas, CA in 2026?
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Can civil engineers make $100K in Milpitas?
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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 $111,721 for civil engineersin the Milpitas 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 Milpitas 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