Civil Engineer Salary in Bakersfield, CA: $101,912 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Bakersfield, CA earns a median $101,912/year (≈ $49.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Bakersfield's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $101,017 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.7% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Civil engineers in Bakersfield, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $101,912 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $103,492. The compensation for civil engineers in this region shows a considerable range, with entry-level positions starting around $77,568 and top earners exceeding $167,472. This salary data, derived from recent surveys by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, reflects the varying pay scales based on the type of employer—consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs tend to offer higher salaries compared to state and local government roles, while construction giants may also provide competitive packages. Understanding these dynamics is essential for prospective civil engineers considering a career in Bakersfield.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,568 | $37.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,969 | $41.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,912 | $49.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $132,506 | $63.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $167,472 | $80.51 |
Median Salary Position
1.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bakersfield
In Bakersfield, CA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $89,904 (2026 est.). At $101,912, the local median is 1.53% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bakersfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bakersfield Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Bakersfield median: $101,912/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bakersfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $118,090 | -13.70% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -1.53% less |
Civil Engineers in Bakersfield, CA earn a median of $101,912 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.53% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 13.70% below the California state average of $118,090.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bakersfield has a cost of living 0.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bakersfield, CA has a cost-of-living index of 100.886 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $101,912 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,017 — a 0.88% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,540
2025 BLS Actual
$99,300
2026 Current Est.
$101,912
2019–2027 Growth
+2.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Bakersfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,540 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,380 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,300 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,912 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,592 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bakersfield metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew -3.2% from $102,540 (2019) to $99,300 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,592 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,052 (2.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bakersfield metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $77,568 – $86,969 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,969 – $101,912 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,912 – $132,506 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $132,506 – $167,472 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Bakersfield
With approximately 870 civil engineers currently employed in the Bakersfield area, the local job market remains stable, enhancing the appeal for new professionals entering this field. However, the cost of living index stands at 100.886, indicating that while salaries are competitive, they may not stretch as far as in lower-cost areas. To maximize earning potential, civil engineers should consider working for leading engineering firms which generally offer higher compensation than government jobs. Those with advanced credentials, such as the PE license, and specialists in high-demand areas like structural or geotechnical engineering can expect greater pay. Additionally, the ongoing infrastructure spending driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is likely to create new opportunities and demand for skilled engineers, thereby positively impacting overall civil engineer pay in Bakersfield, CA.
More salary data for Bakersfield, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $99,300 for civil engineersin the Bakersfield metropolitan area. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for civil engineers (SOC 17-2051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov