Civil Engineer Salary in Fairfield, CA: $121,816 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Fairfield, CA earns a median $121,816/year (≈ $58.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Fairfield's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $107,706 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in Fairfield, CA can expect significant compensation reflective of their qualifications and expertise, with a projected median salary of $121,816 in 2026. This surpasses the national median of $103,492 by 17.71%, highlighting the competitive pay in this region. The local salary range varies from $80,337 at the lower end (P10) to $188,815 at the higher end (P90), reflecting a broad spectrum of experience and specialization. Local estimates, derived from BLS state-level data, indicate that the substantial growth in infrastructure spending is creating a demand for civil engineers in the area. Those who attain a Professional Engineer (PE) license can also expect to see a notable increase in compensation as they progress in their careers, making licensure critical for maximizing earning potential.
About the Fairfield Market
Salary estimated from California average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,337 | $38.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,430 | $45.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $121,816 | $58.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,924 | $74.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $188,815 | $90.78 |
Median Salary Position
17.71% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairfield
In Fairfield, CA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,478 (2026 est.). At $121,816, the local median is 17.71% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fairfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fairfield Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Fairfield median: $121,816/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fairfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $118,153 | +3.10% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +17.71% more |
Civil Engineers in Fairfield, CA earn a median of $121,816 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.71% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 3.10% above the California state average of $118,153.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fairfield has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fairfield, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $121,816 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $107,706 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,474
2025 BLS Actual
$118,694
2026 Current Est.
$121,816
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Fairfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,474 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,252 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,639 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,864 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,868 | Actual |
| 2024 | $145,764 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,694 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $121,816 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $125,019 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairfield metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $102,474 (2019) to $118,694 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $125,019 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,545 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairfield 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) | $80,337 – $94,430 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,430 – $121,816 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $121,816 – $155,924 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,924 – $188,815 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Fairfield
Currently, there are around 25 civil engineers employed in Fairfield, contributing to a robust job market. With a cost-of-living index at 113.1, expenses in the area are slightly above the national average, impacting take-home purchasing power for professionals. Among the local employers, engineering consulting firms such as AECOM and Jacobs are known for offering the highest pay, followed by major construction firms like Bechtel and Kiewit. The challenge in this market lies in the disparity of salaries, which is driven by varying levels of experience, specialization (with structural and geotechnical engineers often commanding higher salaries), and the type of employer. Civil engineers aiming to maximize their pay should consider pursuing advanced credentials like the PE license, focusing on project management roles, and leveraging relationships within top consulting firms—all of which can significantly enhance earning opportunities in Fairfield's competitive civil engineering landscape.
More salary data for Fairfield, 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 $118,694 for civil engineersin the Fairfield 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 Fairfield 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