Civil Engineer Salary in San Jose, CA: $133,706 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in San Jose, CA earns a median $133,706/year (≈ $64.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in San Jose's price level (10% above national, BEA RPP 110.4), that paycheck buys what $121,085 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.2% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in San Jose, California, can expect a median annual salary of $133,706, significantly higher than the national average of $103,492, marking a 29.19% premium for professionals in this area. The salary range is quite wide, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $83,941 and experienced engineers earning up to $210,730. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflects the impact of increasing infrastructure spending driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has bolstered job opportunities and salaries within the civil engineering sector. San Jose’s unique economic landscape continues to attract top talent, making it a competitive market for civil engineers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,941 | $40.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $102,938 | $49.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,706 | $64.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,694 | $82.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $210,730 | $101.32 |
Median Salary Position
29.19% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Jose
In San Jose, CA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $126,789 (2026 est.). At $133,706, the local median is 29.19% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Jose: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Jose Civil Engineer Pay Compares
San Jose median: $133,706/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Jose Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $118,115 | +13.20% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +29.19% more |
Civil Engineers in San Jose, CA earn a median of $133,706 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.19% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 13.20% above the California state average of $118,115.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Jose has a cost of living 10.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Jose, CA has a cost-of-living index of 110.423 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $133,706 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $121,085 — a 9.44% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,510
2025 BLS Actual
$130,280
2026 Current Est.
$133,706
2019–2027 Growth
+28.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in San Jose (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,510 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,610 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,706 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,223 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Jose metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 22.3% from $106,510 (2019) to $130,280 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,223 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,713 (28.84%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Jose 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) | $83,941 – $102,938 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $102,938 – $133,706 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,706 – $170,694 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,694 – $210,730 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in San Jose
With 3,170 civil engineers employed locally, San Jose exhibits a strong job market that is complemented by a relatively high cost of living, as indicated by a cost-of-living index of 110.423. This figure demonstrates that while salaries are attractive, professionals must navigate increased living expenses when considering overall purchasing power. Companies known to pay the highest salaries include leading engineering consulting firms such as AECOM and Jacobs, as well as Fortune 500 construction companies like Bechtel and Kiewit. Various factors contribute to the broad salary range for civil engineering roles, including the necessity of obtaining a PE license for advancements into senior positions, specialization in in-demand areas, and the varying pay scales between government and private sector jobs. For those seeking to maximize their civil engineer pay in San Jose, pursuing advanced responsibilities, specializing in high-demand fields, and leveraging connections within top firms are effective strategies to enhance earning potential.
More salary data for San Jose, 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 $130,280 for civil engineersin the San Jose 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