Average Civil Engineers Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Civil Engineers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area earn a substantial average annual salary of $134,970. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of $106,590, reflecting the high demand and specialized skill set required in this dynamic metropolitan region. Factors such as the concentration of major infrastructure projects and the robust economic landscape contribute to this elevated compensation.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $134,970 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% ↘ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $199,010.
- Outlook: The job market for Civil Engineers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, appears robust, evidenced by a local workforce of 9,920 professionals. The location quotient of 1.79 indicates a concentration of these roles nearly double the national average, suggesting strong and consistent demand for civil engineering expertise within the region.
Salary Overview
The average Civil Engineers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA earns+26.6%above the national average.
$64.9
$2,596
$11,248
Civil Engineers Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is reasonable to assume a positive trend in Civil Engineer salaries over the past four years in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area. Economic growth, ongoing infrastructure development, and a competitive job market typically drive salary increases for skilled professionals in high-demand fields.
Civil Engineers Salary Distribution in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Salary progression for Civil Engineers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, typically scales significantly with experience. Entry-level positions will command lower salaries, while seasoned professionals with extensive project management and design experience can expect to earn considerably more, potentially reaching into the upper percentiles of the $134,970 average. These percentile gaps highlight clear career advancement opportunities.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $85,960 | $41.3 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $101,228 | $48.7 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $126,560 | $60.8 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $168,713 | $81.1 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $199,010 | $95.7 |
Detailed Civil Engineers Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$134,970
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$134,970
Adjusted for COL (100)
The nominal average salary of $134,970 in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, is perfectly aligned with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means that while the salary is high, the cost of living is also at par with the rest of the country, suggesting that the purchasing power of this salary is comparable to the national average.
Job Market Context
9,920
Total Jobs
4.122
Per 1K Jobs
1.79
Location Quotient
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA has 1.8x the national concentration of Civil Engineers jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.
With a location quotient of 1.79, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, exhibits a significantly higher concentration of Civil Engineers compared to the national average. This suggests a competitive yet abundant job market where employers actively seek specialized talent, and professionals have ample opportunities within the region.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Civil Engineers
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Vallejo, CA Civil Engineers Salary | $118,170↓ 12% | 27 mi |
| Napa, CA Civil Engineers Salary | $124,810↓ 8% | 38 mi |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Civil Engineers Salary | $138,030↑ 2% | 42 mi |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA Civil Engineers Salary | $122,590↓ 9% | 50 mi |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA Civil Engineers Salary | $118,540↓ 12% | 58 mi |
Comparing salaries near San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Hiring Civil Engineerss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Civil Engineers make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median annual salary for a Civil Engineers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is $134,970. This typically ranges from $85,960 for entry-level positions to $199,010 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is 26.6% higher than the national median of $106,590.
Is San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA a lucrative place for Civil Engineers?
Yes, it is a highly lucrative place for Civil Engineers.Civil Engineers in this region earn an average of $134,970, significantly above the national average, and the cost of living is at the national average, indicating strong earning potential.
Is San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA a good place to live for Civil Engineers?
The Cost of Living Index in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
Some top paying nearby cities include Vallejo, CA ($118,170) and Napa, CA.
How does the Civil Engineer salary in San Francisco compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for Civil Engineers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is $134,970, which is considerably higher than the national average of $106,590.
What is the concentration of Civil Engineers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area?
The concentration, measured by the location quotient, is 1.79, indicating that Civil Engineers are nearly twice as prevalent in this region compared to the national average.
Does the high salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA reflect a high cost of living?
The average salary aligns with a Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means the high nominal salary offers purchasing power comparable to the national average, despite the perception of high costs in California.
How many Civil Engineers work in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area?
There are approximately 9,920 Civil Engineers employed within the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metropolitan area.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 9,920 employees in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area with a job density of 4.122 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Civil Engineers • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA