folvr

Civil Engineer Salary in San Jose, California

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$170,684/ year

Median Civil Engineer in San Jose, CA

$103,632
10th
$126,380
25th
$170,684
Median
$222,500
75th
$271,450
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$170,684
Total compensation (est.)
$196,287
Bonus range
$3,550 – $15,000
Mean salary
$180,925

How This Compares

San Jose, CA median
$170,684
California median
$97,808+74.5%
National median
$95,890+78.0%

Cost of living in San Jose is 78% above the national average. Salary of $170,684 here is equivalent to $95,890 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$122,892-28.0%
3-5 years
$155,322-9.0%
6-10 years
$191,166+12.0%
10+ years
$235,544+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$150,202-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$170,684
Enterprise (5,000+)
$201,407+18.0%

Add your salary data

Anonymous. 60 seconds. See how you compare instantly.

$170K
$30K$500K

Civil Engineer Salaries in Nearby Cities

Los Angeles, CA$144,794/yr
San Diego, CA$138,082/yr
San Francisco, CA$177,397/yr
Fresno, CA$95,890/yr
Sacramento, CA$95,890/yr

Related Jobs in San Jose

Electrician$109,630/yr
Plumber$109,559/yr
HVAC Technician$101,994/yr
Carpenter$100,730/yr
Welder$83,678/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$82/hr
Monthly gross$14,224/mo
25th percentile$126,380/yr
75th percentile$222,500/yr

Find Civil Engineer jobs in San Jose

See open positions and negotiate with real data.

Search Indeed →Search LinkedIn →

Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

California Unemployment

Dec 2025

5.5%-0.10

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Civil Engineer Salaries by City

Compare all US cities →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Civil Engineer salary in San Jose?

The median Civil Engineer salary in San Jose is $170,684 per year, with a range from $126,380 at the 25th percentile to $222,500 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Civil Engineer pay in San Jose compare to the national average?

Civil Engineer salaries in San Jose are 78% above the national median of $95,890. After adjusting for San Jose's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $95,890 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Civil Engineer salaries in San Jose?

In San Jose, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Civil Engineer roles start around $103,632, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $271,450 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is San Jose a good place for Civil Engineer jobs?

San Jose offers a Civil Engineer median of $170,684, which is 78% above the US median of $95,890. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — San Jose is 78% more expensive than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Civil Engineer salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Civil Engineer in San Jose is $222,500, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.