Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians salary in California
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians in California earn a median of $83,490 a year ($40.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,250 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,150 for the top 10%. That is 29% higher than the national median of $64,950. California ranks 2nd of 50 states for civil engineering technologists and technicians pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.40 civil engineering technologists and technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $85,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineering technologists and technicians in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,690 | $26.29 |
| 25th percentile | $65,610 | $31.54 |
| Median | $83,490 | $40.14 |
| 75th percentile | $101,790 | $48.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,150 | $53.44 |
| Average (mean) | $85,570 | $41.14 |
Half of civil engineering technologists and technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,957.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,478.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,211.15 |
| Weekly | $1,605.58 |
| Hourly | $40.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Napa, CA | $102,390 | 40 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $98,020 | 420 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $97,510 | 1,270 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $97,410 | 130 |
| Vallejo, CA | $96,860 | 40 |
| Modesto, CA | $95,630 | 40 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $84,690 | 550 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $84,120 | 90 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $83,990 | 1,670 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $83,040 | 110 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $81,990 | 160 |
| Salinas, CA | $81,230 | 40 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $80,840 | 700 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $80,710 | 740 |
| Fresno, CA | $80,640 | 250 |
| Visalia, CA | $78,220 | 60 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $76,960 | 110 |
| Merced, CA | $74,620 | 30 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $72,970 | 160 |
| Yuba City, CA | $69,040 | 60 |
| Redding, CA | $66,730 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for civil engineering technologists and technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $85,390 |
| California | $83,490 |
| Washington | $79,580 |
| Illinois | $79,190 |
| Minnesota | $78,690 |
| Nevada | $74,810 |
| Vermont | $74,100 |
| Wisconsin | $73,970 |
| New York | $73,790 |
| Connecticut | $73,430 |
See Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $86,090 | $41.39 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $76,520 | $36.79 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $80,480 | $38.69 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,070 | $38.02 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $87,390 | $42.02 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $82,510 | $39.67 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $78,110 | $37.55 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $78,310 | $37.65 |
| Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,010 | $28.85 |
| Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians | $81,550 | $39.21 |
| Drafters, All Other | $73,390 | $35.28 |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | $99,000 | $47.59 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $79,010 | $37.98 |
| Civil Engineer | $122,500 | $58.89 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-3022. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineering technologists and technicians make in California?
The median salary for civil engineering technologists and technicians in California is $83,490 a year, or $40.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineering technologists and technicians make in California?
The top 10% of civil engineering technologists and technicians in California earn at least $111,150 a year. The top 25% earn $101,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineering technologists and technicians in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,690 a year, and a quarter of civil engineering technologists and technicians earn $65,610 or less.
How many civil engineering technologists and technicians work in California?
About 7,250 civil engineering technologists and technicians are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.