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2026 Salary Data — Fresno, CA
Updated April 28, 2026

Civil Engineer Salary in Fresno: $91K Median

Civil Engineers in Fresno, CA earn between $62K and $137K per year.

That's -5% below the US national median of $95,890 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Civil Engineer salary in Fresno, CA is $91,096 per year — -5% below the US national median of $95,890. Salaries range from $61,750 (entry, 25th percentile) to $137,380 (90th percentile). Civil Engineers in Fresno earned approximately $15,982 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$91,096
+470.0% YoY · $7,591/mo
Entry
$61,750
0–2 years
Experienced
$118,750
5+ years
Top 10%
$137,380
Senior/lead
Civil Engineer Salary — Fresno vs Nearby
Fresno
$91K
Los Angeles
$123K
-26% vs Fresno
San Diego
$113K
-19% vs Fresno
San Francisco
$149K
-39% vs Fresno

Free ATS scan · Fresno employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Civil Engineers in Fresno

Civil engineers design, build, and maintain infrastructure projects: roads, bridges, buildings, water systems, and more.

Core Responsibilities

  • Design infrastructure
  • Project management
  • Site inspection
  • Construction documents
  • Code compliance

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree (ABET); PE for senior roles

In-demand certifications

PE (Professional Engineer)LEEDPMPOSHA 30

Fresno Job Market

Agriculture capital with growing healthcare and logistics sectors.

Population
543K
Cost of Living
105
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
6.5%
Median Home
$380K

Top Industries in Fresno

AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingLogisticsGovernment

Top Employers Hiring Civil Engineers

Major employers active in Fresno or hiring remotely from this metro.

AECOM
Bechtel
Jacobs
Kiewit
Skanska
state DOTs
municipal governments

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Civil Engineer listings.

BIM (Revit)Sustainability/LEEDClimate-resilient designSmart citiesDrone surveying

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

AutoCADCivil 3Dproject managementstructural analysisPE licenseLEEDRevitsite planning
Career Outlook
+6% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Civil engineering growing 6% with $1.2T US infrastructure investment driving demand through 2034.

Civil Engineer Salary Breakdown — Fresno

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$61,750$91,096$137,380
Monthly$5,146$7,591$11,448
Weekly$1,188$1,752$2,642
Hourly$30$44$66

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($95,890) adjusted for Fresno's cost-of-living multiplier (0.95×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Civil Engineer Take-Home Pay in Fresno

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$67,373.756
Per month$5,614
Biweekly paycheck$2,591
Effective tax rate26.0%

Tax Breakdown on $91,096

Gross salary$91,096
Federal income tax−$11,743.12
California state tax−$5,010.28
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$6,968.844
Take-home (net)$67,373.756

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Civil Engineer Salary by Experience — Fresno

Career-stage progression for Civil Engineers in Fresno.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$56,810
2–3 yr$61,750
4–6 yr$90,250
7–10 yr$118,750
11–15 yr$140,125
15+ yr$128,065

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Fresno's 0.95× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$15,982
2026 median:$91,096
Change:+$75,114

Engineering sector growth driven by demand for BIM (Revit) and Sustainability/LEED.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$86,758
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Civil Engineer Salary in Fresno

Walk-away anchor: $81,336 (offers below this are below market for Fresno).

Leverage Points

  • PE license carries a clear pay premium (often 10-15%) - cite it explicitly
  • Project-specific experience: EV powertrain, semiconductor fab, infrastructure megaprojects
  • Per-diem, travel pay, and relocation are negotiable separately from base
  • Software-adjacent skills (Python, MATLAB, simulation, MLOps) raise the ceiling

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

PE license exam fees, study materials, review coursesRelocation package and temporary housingProject-completion or milestone bonusesPer-diem for site travel and field workTuition reimbursement for MS/PhD

What To Say

"With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus."

Anchor on $119K–$137K for experienced roles, citing Fresno market data and your specific BIM (Revit)/Sustainability/LEED expertise.

Civil Engineer Salary FAQ — Fresno

What is the average Civil Engineer salary in Fresno, CA?
The average Civil Engineer salary in Fresno is $91,096 per year as of April 2026 — $7,591/month, $1,752/week, or about $44/hour. Salaries range from $61,750 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $137,380 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Fresno's cost-of-living multiplier (0.95×).
Is $91,096 a good Civil Engineer salary in Fresno?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Fresno's cost-of-living index is 105 (vs 100 nationally), giving $91,096 a real purchasing power of approximately $86,758 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $91,096 in Fresno?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Fresno specifically (median home price $380,000), a $91,096 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $91,096 enough for a single person in Fresno?
A single adult in Fresno typically needs ~$47,250 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $91,096 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $91,096 enough for a couple in Fresno?
A couple (one earner) in Fresno typically needs ~$75,600 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $91,096 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $91,096 each ($182,192 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $91,096 enough for a family of 4 in Fresno?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Fresno typically needs ~$115,500 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $91,096 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Fresno. Childcare costs in Fresno typically run $16K-$29K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Civil Engineer in Fresno?
On a $91,096 Civil Engineer salary in Fresno, CA, you take home approximately $67,373.756 per year ($5,614/month, $2,591 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $11,743.12, state $5,010.28, FICA $6,968.844. Effective tax rate: 26.0%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Civil Engineers in Fresno earn compared to the US average?
Civil Engineers in Fresno earn approximately 5% less than the US national median for this role ($95,890 nationally vs $91,096 in Fresno). However, Fresno's cost-of-living index of 105 means real purchasing power is approximately $86,758 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Civil Engineer earn in Fresno?
Entry-level Civil Engineers in Fresno typically start at around $61,750 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Civil Engineers earn $118,750 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $137,380+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Civil Engineer salaries in Fresno increase in 2026?
Yes — Civil Engineer salaries in Fresno grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $15,982 in 2025 to $91,096 in 2026 (+$75,114). This reflects the broader Engineering sector's compensation trend, driven by BIM (Revit) and Sustainability/LEED demand.
What's the job outlook for Civil Engineers in Fresno?
Civil engineering growing 6% with $1.2T US infrastructure investment driving demand through 2034. Fresno's top industries include Agriculture, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 6.5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Civil Engineers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Civil Engineers are: BIM (Revit), Sustainability/LEED, Climate-resilient design, Smart cities, Drone surveying. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Fresno.
Who are the top employers hiring Civil Engineers in Fresno?
Top employers hiring Civil Engineers in or near Fresno include: AECOM, Bechtel, Jacobs, Kiewit, Skanska, state DOTs. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Civil Engineer salary in Fresno?
With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus. Key leverage points for Engineering negotiations: PE license carries a clear pay premium (often 10-15%) - cite it explicitly; Project-specific experience: EV powertrain, semiconductor fab, infrastructure megaprojects; Per-diem, travel pay, and relocation are negotiable separately from base. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: PE license exam fees, study materials, review courses, Relocation package and temporary housing, Project-completion or milestone bonuses, Per-diem for site travel and field work.
How can I increase my Civil Engineer salary in Fresno?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (BIM (Revit), Sustainability/LEED, Climate-resilient design) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., PE (Professional Engineer) or LEED). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Civil Engineer in Fresno?
Bachelor's degree (ABET); PE for senior roles is the typical path. However, Fresno's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Engineering roles.

Methodology & Sources

Civil Engineer salary figures for Fresno are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($95,890) by Fresno's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.95× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (470.0%) reflects the Engineering sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Fresno

Mechanical Engineer →Electrical Engineer →

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Los Angeles, CA$123KSan Antonio, TX$89KSan Diego, CA$113KJacksonville, FL$88KColumbus, OH$93KIndianapolis, IN$89KSan Francisco, CA$149KDetroit, MI$89K

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