Civil Engineer Salary in Vacaville, CA: $117,902 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Vacaville, CA earns a median $117,902/year (≈ $56.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Vacaville's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $104,246 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
As of 2026, civil engineers in Vacaville, California, can expect an attractive median annual salary of $117,902, which is notably higher than the national median of $103,492. The salary range in the area varies significantly, from $81,055 at the 10th percentile to $182,749 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity of roles available. Engineering consultants, such as AECOM and Jacobs, tend to offer the most competitive compensation when compared to governmental positions like those within the Department of Transportation or local public works departments. Local salary figures are driven by multiple factors, including the cost of living adjustments reflected in BLS state-level projections, which help to paint a more complete picture of civil engineer pay in Vacaville.
About the Vacaville Market
Salary estimated from California average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,055 | $38.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,806 | $45.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $117,902 | $56.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $150,915 | $72.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $182,749 | $87.86 |
Median Salary Position
13.92% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vacaville
In Vacaville, CA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $101,694 (2026 est.). At $117,902, the local median is 13.92% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Vacaville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Vacaville Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Vacaville median: $117,902/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vacaville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $118,139 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | +13.92% more |
Civil Engineers in Vacaville, CA earn a median of $117,902 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.92% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 0.20% below the California state average of $118,139.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vacaville has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Vacaville, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $117,902 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $104,246 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,182
2025 BLS Actual
$114,881
2026 Current Est.
$117,902
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Vacaville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,182 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,903 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,463 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,242 | Actual |
| 2024 | $141,081 | Actual |
| 2025 | $114,881 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,902 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,003 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vacaville metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $99,182 (2019) to $114,881 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,003 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,821 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vacaville 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) | $81,055 – $93,806 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,806 – $117,902 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $117,902 – $150,915 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $150,915 – $182,749 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Vacaville
In terms of the local job market, only 15 civil engineers are currently employed in Vacaville, highlighting a specialized and possibly competitive field. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, suggesting that while salaries may appear attractive, purchase power could be strained compared to the national average. The highest wages among local employers may be found within top-tier engineering consulting firms, whereas various specialties such as geotechnical or structural engineering command different premiums. The disparity in compensation often relates to factors such as whether one possesses a Professional Engineer license, the type of projects tackled, and the distinction between private versus public sector work. To maximize compensation, aspiring engineers should consider pursuing a PE license, aiming for roles in high-demand sectors such as infrastructure development, especially those linked to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is currently generating considerable opportunities in the market.
More salary data for Vacaville, 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 $114,881 for civil engineersin the Vacaville 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 Vacaville 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