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2026 Salary Data — Los Angeles, CA
Updated April 28, 2026

Civil Engineer Salary in Los Angeles: $123K Median

Civil Engineers in Los Angeles, CA earn between $83K and $185K per year.

That's +28% above the US national median of $95,890 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Civil Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $122,739 per year — +28% above the US national median of $95,890. Salaries range from $83,200 (entry, 25th percentile) to $185,101 (90th percentile). Civil Engineers in Los Angeles earned approximately $21,533 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$122,739
+470.0% YoY · $10,228/mo
Entry
$83,200
0–2 years
Experienced
$160,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$185,101
Senior/lead
Civil Engineer Salary — Los Angeles vs Nearby
Los Angeles
$123K
San Diego
$113K
+8% vs Los Angeles
San Francisco
$149K
-17% vs Los Angeles
Fresno
$91K
+35% vs Los Angeles

Free ATS scan · Los Angeles employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Civil Engineers in Los Angeles

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

Los Angeles Job Market

Entertainment capital with growing tech sector ("Silicon Beach") and major aerospace industry.

Population
3979K
Cost of Living
173
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
5.1%
Median Home
$950K

Top Industries in Los Angeles

EntertainmentAerospaceTechHealthcareTourism

Top Employers Hiring Civil Engineers

Major employers active in Los Angeles 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 — Los Angeles

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$83,200$122,739$185,101
Monthly$6,933$10,228$15,425
Weekly$1,600$2,360$3,560
Hourly$40$59$89

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($95,890) adjusted for Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier (1.28×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Civil Engineer Take-Home Pay in Los Angeles

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$87,798.461
Per month$7,317
Biweekly paycheck$3,377
Effective tax rate28.5%

Tax Breakdown on $122,739

Gross salary$122,739
Federal income tax−$18,800.36
California state tax−$6,750.645
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$9,389.534
Take-home (net)$87,798.461

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 — Los Angeles

Career-stage progression for Civil Engineers in Los Angeles.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$76,544
2–3 yr$83,200
4–6 yr$121,600
7–10 yr$160,000
11–15 yr$188,800
15+ yr$172,551

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Los Angeles's 1.28× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$21,533
2026 median:$122,739
Change:+$101,206

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

Is This A Good Salary?

Livable middle-class

Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$70,947
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your Civil Engineer Salary in Los Angeles

Walk-away anchor: $109,588 (offers below this are below market for Los Angeles).

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 $160K–$185K for experienced roles, citing Los Angeles market data and your specific BIM (Revit)/Sustainability/LEED expertise.

Civil Engineer Salary FAQ — Los Angeles

What is the average Civil Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA?
The average Civil Engineer salary in Los Angeles is $122,739 per year as of April 2026 — $10,228/month, $2,360/week, or about $59/hour. Salaries range from $83,200 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $185,101 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier (1.28×).
Is $122,739 a good Civil Engineer salary in Los Angeles?
Livable middle-class. Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline. Los Angeles's cost-of-living index is 173 (vs 100 nationally), giving $122,739 a real purchasing power of approximately $70,947 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $122,739 in Los Angeles?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For Los Angeles specifically (median home price $950,000), a $122,739 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $122,739 enough for a single person in Los Angeles?
A single adult in Los Angeles typically needs ~$77,850 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $122,739 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $122,739 enough for a couple in Los Angeles?
A couple (one earner) in Los Angeles typically needs ~$124,560 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $122,739 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most couples at this level need both partners working or significant lifestyle adjustments. Two earners at $122,739 each ($245,478 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $122,739 enough for a family of 4 in Los Angeles?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Los Angeles typically needs ~$190,300 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $122,739 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 Los Angeles. Childcare costs in Los Angeles typically run $26K-$48K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Civil Engineer in Los Angeles?
On a $122,739 Civil Engineer salary in Los Angeles, CA, you take home approximately $87,798.461 per year ($7,317/month, $3,377 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $18,800.36, state $6,750.645, FICA $9,389.534. Effective tax rate: 28.5%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Civil Engineers in Los Angeles earn compared to the US average?
Civil Engineers in Los Angeles earn approximately 28% more than the US national median for this role ($95,890 nationally vs $122,739 in Los Angeles). However, Los Angeles's cost-of-living index of 173 means real purchasing power is approximately $70,947 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Civil Engineer earn in Los Angeles?
Entry-level Civil Engineers in Los Angeles typically start at around $83,200 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Civil Engineers earn $160,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $185,101+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Civil Engineer salaries in Los Angeles increase in 2026?
Yes — Civil Engineer salaries in Los Angeles grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $21,533 in 2025 to $122,739 in 2026 (+$101,206). 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 Los Angeles?
Civil engineering growing 6% with $1.2T US infrastructure investment driving demand through 2034. Los Angeles's top industries include Entertainment, Aerospace, Tech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 5.1% — 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 Los Angeles.
Who are the top employers hiring Civil Engineers in Los Angeles?
Top employers hiring Civil Engineers in or near Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles?
Bachelor's degree (ABET); PE for senior roles is the typical path. However, Los Angeles'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 Los Angeles are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($95,890) by Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.28× — 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 Los Angeles

Mechanical Engineer →Electrical Engineer →

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Cities

San Diego, CA$113KSan Francisco, CA$149KSeattle, WA$127KWashington, DC$125KBoston, MA$125KFresno, CA$91KSacramento, CA$104KLong Beach, CA$115K

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