Civil Engineer Salary in Daly City, CA: $121,262 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Daly City, CA earns a median $121,262/year (≈ $58.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Daly City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $107,217 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers working in Daly City, California can expect to earn a median annual salary of $121,262, a figure that reflects a dynamic local market influenced by various sectors. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, from $78,724 at the 10th percentile to $187,957 for those in the 90th percentile. These projections derive from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and take into account regional price disparities, highlighting the competitive compensation landscape in the Bay Area. Companies in the consulting sector, such as AECOM and Jacobs, typically drive higher salaries compared to state DOTs and local public works departments, creating distinct pay structures based on industry type and project scope.
About the Daly City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,724 | $37.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,333 | $44.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $121,262 | $58.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,032 | $74.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $187,957 | $90.37 |
Median Salary Position
17.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Daly City
In Daly City, CA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,233 (2026 est.). At $121,262, the local median is 17.17% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Daly City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Daly City Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Daly City median: $121,262/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Daly City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $118,190 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +17.17% more |
Civil Engineers in Daly City, CA earn a median of $121,262 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.17% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 2.60% above the California state average of $118,190.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Daly City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Daly City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $121,262 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $107,217 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,009
2025 BLS Actual
$118,155
2026 Current Est.
$121,262
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Daly City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,009 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,778 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,169 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,383 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,355 | Actual |
| 2024 | $145,102 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,155 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $121,262 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,452 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Daly City metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $102,009 (2019) to $118,155 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,452 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,443 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Daly City 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) | $78,724 – $93,333 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,333 – $121,262 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $121,262 – $155,032 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,032 – $187,957 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Daly City
The job market for civil engineers in Daly City is relatively robust, with around 20 professionals currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living is a substantial factor to consider, as indicated by a cost-of-living index of 113.1, which suggests that living expenses are above the national average. This reality impacts the purchasing power of salaries, necessitating higher compensation to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. Among the diverse employers, engineering consulting firms generally offer the highest pay, especially for those holding a PE license, which grants access to senior-level roles and project management positions. The variation in earnings often reflects an engineer's area of expertise, the prestige of the firm, and fluctuations in infrastructure spending, particularly following the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. For those aiming to maximize their civil engineer pay in Daly City, focusing on acquiring specialized skills in high-demand areas, pursuing a PE license, and seeking opportunities in leading consulting firms are strategic steps that can lead to improved earnings potential.
More salary data for Daly City, 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 $118,155 for civil engineersin the Daly City 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
Salary data for Daly City is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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