San Francisco vs Santa Clara: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)
Compare civil engineer salaries between San Francisco, CA and Santa Clara, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Santa Clara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $133,583 | $135,947▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $64.23 | $65.35▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $93,250▲ | $88,923 |
| 25th Percentile | $105,740 | $109,855▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $167,441 | $173,897▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $208,062 | $210,718▲ |
| Total Employed | 10,990▲ | 32 |
Verdict
Santa Clara, CA offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to San Francisco.
The salary gap between San Francisco and Santa Clara is $2,364 (1.77%). Santa Clara's median is +31.36% compared to the US national median of $103,492.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Francisco spans $114,812,Santa Clara spans $121,795. Santa Clara 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, Santa Clara ($120,201 effective) pays 4.03% more than San Francisco ($115,543 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose San Francisco if…
- ✓Larger job market (10,990 employed)
- ✓You prefer the California area and lifestyle
Choose Santa Clara if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($135,947/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($210,718)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $120,201)
- ✓You prefer the California area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in San Francisco grew 11.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -8.8% growth in Santa Clara over the same period.
San Francisco, CA
$116,270 (2019) → $130,160 (2025)
Santa Clara, CA
$145,182 (2024) → $132,463 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
San Francisco, CA
Santa Clara, CA
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays civil engineers more: San Francisco or Santa Clara?
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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