Civil Engineer Salary in Stockton, CA: $120,067 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Stockton, CA earns a median $120,067/year (≈ $57.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Stockton's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.1), that paycheck buys what $114,253 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Stockton's civil engineer salary in 2026 reflects the growing demand fueled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), with a projected median annual pay of $120,067, which surpasses the national median of $103,492 by 16.02%. Salaries for civil engineers in the area range from $80,462 at the 10th percentile to $169,442 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a significant income potential. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, underscore the competitive landscape for civil engineering professionals in Stockton, CA, as local infrastructure projects and investments create numerous opportunities for skilled engineers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,462 | $38.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,109 | $46.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $120,067 | $57.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $140,408 | $67.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169,442 | $81.46 |
Median Salary Position
16.02% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Stockton
In Stockton, CA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $88,980 (2026 est.). At $120,067, the local median is 16.02% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Stockton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Stockton Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Stockton median: $120,067/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Stockton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $118,176 | +1.60% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +16.02% more |
Civil Engineers in Stockton, CA earn a median of $120,067 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.02% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 1.60% above the California state average of $118,176.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Stockton has a cost of living 5.09% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Stockton, CA has a cost-of-living index of 105.089 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $120,067 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $114,253 — a 4.84% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,120
2025 BLS Actual
$116,990
2026 Current Est.
$120,067
2019–2027 Growth
+15.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Stockton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $106,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $116,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $120,067 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,225 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Stockton metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 9.2% from $107,120 (2019) to $116,990 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,225 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,105 (15.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Stockton 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) | $80,462 – $97,109 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,109 – $120,067 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $120,067 – $140,408 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $140,408 – $169,442 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Stockton
The local job market for civil engineers includes approximately 610 professionals, which contributes to a healthy employment ecosystem. However, the cost of living in Stockton stands at a CoL index of 105.089, slightly above the national average, impacting actual take-home pay. Employers that offer the highest compensation typically include large engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, as well as Fortune 500 construction companies such as Bechtel and Fluor. Variability in salaries arises from factors such as the PE license, which opens doors to senior positions, as well as specialization in areas like structural or transportation engineering. For engineers looking to maximize their civil engineer pay in Stockton, pursuing advanced certifications, gaining relevant experience, and considering roles at top-tier firms can significantly affect earning potential in this dynamic market.
More salary data for Stockton, 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 $116,990 for civil engineersin the Stockton 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