Civil Engineer Salary in Tulare, CA: $119,366 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Tulare, CA earns a median $119,366/year (≈ $57.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Tulare's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $105,540 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Tulare, California, can expect a median annual salary of $119,366, which surpasses the national average by approximately 15.34%. The salary range in this locale extends from $80,234 for the lowest-paid professionals to $185,017 for those at the top tier. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost factors, reflect the varying pay structures based on employment types. Civil engineering roles in Tulare are often split among consulting firms, government agencies, and construction companies, each offering different compensation based on project scope, firm size, and market demand. Recently increased infrastructure spending has kept the job market robust, creating opportunities for those ready to capitalize on current trends.
About the Tulare Market
Salary estimated from California average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,234 | $38.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,406 | $44.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $119,366 | $57.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,814 | $72.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $185,017 | $88.95 |
Median Salary Position
15.34% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tulare
In Tulare, CA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $104,783 (2026 est.). At $119,366, the local median is 15.34% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tulare: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tulare Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Tulare median: $119,366/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tulare Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $118,184 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +15.34% more |
Civil Engineers in Tulare, CA earn a median of $119,366 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.34% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 1.00% above the California state average of $118,184.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tulare has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tulare, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $119,366 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $105,540 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,413
2025 BLS Actual
$116,307
2026 Current Est.
$119,366
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Tulare (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,413 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,155 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,555 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,735 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,598 | Actual |
| 2024 | $142,833 | Actual |
| 2025 | $116,307 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,366 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $122,505 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tulare metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $100,413 (2019) to $116,307 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $122,505 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,092 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tulare 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) | $80,234 – $93,406 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,406 – $119,366 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $119,366 – $151,814 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,814 – $185,017 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Tulare
Tulare's job market for civil engineers currently employs 17 professionals, highlighting a niche but stable demand in the area. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, which suggests that while salaries may be competitive, purchasing power may be constrained compared to larger cities. Among employers, engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs tend to offer higher salaries, followed by major construction companies such as Bechtel and Kiewit. Factors influencing the pay gap between entry-level and senior positions include the necessity of obtaining a PE license, the specialty of engineering practices (such as structural or geotechnical), and the level of infrastructure spending. To maximize pay in the Tulare market, a strategic focus on gaining the PE credential and experience in high-demand specialties can open doors to better earning potential, especially as infrastructure projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continue to emerge.
More salary data for Tulare, 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 $116,307 for civil engineersin the Tulare 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 Tulare 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