Civil Engineer Salary in Union City, CA: $118,411 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Union City, CA earns a median $118,411/year (≈ $56.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Union City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $104,696 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Union City, California can anticipate a median annual salary of $118,411, notably exceeding the national median of $103,492 by approximately 14.42%. Salaries in the area range from $78,168 at the lower end to $183,537 for the highest earners, reflecting a competitive local market driven by the demand for professionals skilled in infrastructure development and consulting. This compensation framework is shaped by local cost adjustments derived from BLS state-level data, making it a vital consideration for those weighing opportunities in Union City. The city's robust engineering sector offers promising pathways for advancement, particularly for those who attain their Professional Engineer (PE) license, which is essential for accessing higher salaries and positions in project management.
About the Union City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,168 | $37.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,012 | $46.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $118,411 | $56.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $149,349 | $71.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $183,537 | $88.24 |
Median Salary Position
14.42% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Union City
In Union City, CA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $105,369 (2026 est.). At $118,411, the local median is 14.42% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Union City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Union City Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Union City median: $118,411/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Union City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $118,175 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +14.42% more |
Civil Engineers in Union City, CA earn a median of $118,411 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.42% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 0.20% above the California state average of $118,175.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Union City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Union City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $118,411 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $104,696 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,610
2025 BLS Actual
$115,377
2026 Current Est.
$118,411
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Union City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,610 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,338 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,743 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,906 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,713 | Actual |
| 2024 | $141,691 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,377 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118,411 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,526 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Union City metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $99,610 (2019) to $115,377 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,526 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,916 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Union 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) | $78,168 – $96,012 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,012 – $118,411 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $118,411 – $149,349 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $149,349 – $183,537 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Union City
The job market in Union City shows a concentrated demand with only 11 civil engineers currently employed, presenting a unique dynamic amid the area's higher cost of living, indexed at 113.1. This premium on living expenses can impact take-home pay and purchasing power for professionals in the area. Employers who typically offer the most competitive compensation include top engineering consulting firms like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, as well as established construction companies such as Bechtel and Fluor. The variation in compensation is influenced by factors such as licensure status, specialty area (like structural or geotechnical), and whether one is aligned with a public works department or a private firm. To maximize civil engineer pay in Union City, candidates should consider pursuing advanced certifications, building relationships within top tier firms, and staying informed on local infrastructure spending trends stemming from initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, as these trends are likely to boost demand for skilled engineers significantly.
More salary data for Union 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 $115,377 for civil engineersin the Union 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 Union 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