Chico vs Los Angeles: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)
Compare civil engineer salaries between Chico, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Los Angeles, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $110,173 | $111,497▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $52.97 | $53.60▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,278 | $74,776▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $85,676 | $86,702▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $145,283 | $145,283 |
| Top Earner (P90) | $166,887 | $175,159▲ |
| Total Employed | 160 | 16,340▲ |
Verdict
Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Chico.
The salary gap between Chico and Los Angeles is $1,324 (1.20%). Los Angeles's median is +7.73% compared to the US national median of $103,492.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chico spans $93,609,Los Angeles spans $100,383. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced civil engineers.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Chico ($108,870 effective) pays 10.89% more than Los Angeles ($98,178 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Chico if…
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,870)
- ✓You prefer the California area and lifestyle
Choose Los Angeles if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($111,497/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($175,159)
- ✓Larger job market (16,340 employed)
- ✓You prefer the California area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Chico grew 10.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.4% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.
Chico, CA
$97,540 (2019) → $107,350 (2025)
Los Angeles, CA
$107,100 (2019) → $108,640 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Los Angeles, CA
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays civil engineers more: Chico or Los Angeles?
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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.
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