Civil Engineer Salary

Antioch vs San Francisco: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare civil engineer salaries between Antioch, CA and San Francisco, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Antioch, CA
$116,700
$56.11/hr
San Francisco, CA
$133,583
$64.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAntioch, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$116,700$133,583
Hourly Rate$56.11$64.23
Entry Level (P10)$78,266$93,250
25th Percentile$91,451$105,740
75th Percentile$149,376$167,441
Top Earner (P90)$180,884$208,062
Total Employed1710,990
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Antioch ($116,700) and San Francisco ($133,583) civil engineer salaries.AntiochSan FranciscoMedian Salary$116,700$133,583Entry Level (P10)$78,266$93,250Top Earner (P90)$180,884$208,062US Median $103,492

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Antioch.

The salary gap between Antioch and San Francisco is $16,883 (14.47%). San Francisco's median is +29.08% compared to the US national median of $103,492.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Antioch spans $102,618,San Francisco spans $114,812. San Francisco has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced civil engineers.

Antioch
P10 (Entry)$78,266
P25$91,451
Median$116,700
P75$149,376
P90 (Top)$180,884
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$93,250
P25$105,740
Median$133,583
P75$167,441
P90 (Top)$208,062

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($115,543 effective) pays 11.98% more than Antioch ($103,183 effective).

Antioch
Nominal: $116,700
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $103,183
San Francisco
Nominal: $133,583
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $115,543

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Antioch if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($133,583/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($208,062)
  • Larger job market (10,990 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $115,543)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Antioch grew -18.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 11.9% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Antioch, CA

+-18.6%

$139,642 (2024) → $113,709 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+11.9%

$116,270 (2019) → $130,160 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Antioch or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median civil engineer salary at $133,583/year, compared to Antioch at $116,700/year — a difference of $16,883 (14.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Antioch and San Francisco?

Antioch civil engineers earn $56.11/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $64.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Antioch to San Francisco as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Antioch and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Antioch = $103,183, San Francisco = $115,543), job availability (17 vs 10,990 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level civil engineers earn in Antioch vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $78,266 in Antioch and $93,250 in San Francisco. The San Francisco area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JC

Written by Jordan Chen, P.E.

Career Analyst

Jordan Chen has 10 years of experience in structural engineering. He works primarily in urban infrastructure projects.

Clinically reviewed by Aisha Patel, Ph.D.Data verified by Carlos Ramirez, M.S.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.63% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov