Civil Engineer Salary in Sacramento, CA
Civil Engineers in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area earn a median $130,150 a year — 29% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $90,657 take-home, or $7,555 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median civil engineer salary in Sacramento, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$19,970
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,069
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,887
- California income tax$7,874
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,692
- Take-home pay$90,657
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 9.30% state
Civil Engineer pay by experience in Sacramento, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,680 | $39.27 | $61,863 | $5,155 |
| 25th percentile | $100,270 | $48.21 | $72,971 | $6,081 |
| Median (50th) | $130,150 | $62.57 | $90,657 | $7,555 |
| 75th percentile | $159,360 | $76.62 | $107,526 | $8,960 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $175,940 | $84.59 | $117,101 | $9,758 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $130,150 buys in Sacramento, CA
Prices in Sacramento, CA are 6.7% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.30× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median civil engineer's $90,657 take-home pay has the buying power of $84,988 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Sacramento, CA has 2.2× the national concentration of civil engineer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for civil engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Sacramento, CA ranks #7 of 125 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kennewick, WA | $121,370 | $94,214 | $94,139 |
| 2 | Baton Rouge, LA | $112,430 | $84,938 | $93,565 |
| 3 | Mobile, AL | $107,810 | $79,549 | $90,296 |
| 4 | New Orleans, LA | $108,240 | $82,116 | $88,681 |
| 5 | Sioux Falls, SD | $99,700 | $78,969 | $87,132 |
| 6 | Tulsa, OK | $102,080 | $76,595 | $85,856 |
| 7 | Sacramento, CA | $130,150 | $90,657 | $84,988 |
| 8 | Beaumont, TX | $95,510 | $76,021 | $84,425 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 125 metros →
Civil Engineer salaries elsewhere in California
- Fresno, CA — $119,720
- San Jose, CA — $130,280
- Yuba City, CA — $119,990
- Stockton, CA — $116,990
- San Francisco, CA — $130,160
- Santa Maria, CA — $119,980
- Riverside, CA — $115,120
- Santa Rosa, CA — $111,740
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Sacramento, CA?
The median civil engineer salary in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area is $130,150 a year, or about $62.57 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $100,270 and $159,360.
What is a civil engineer’s take-home pay in Sacramento, CA?
On the median $130,150 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $90,657 a year ($7,555 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $9,566 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Sacramento, CA a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Pay here is 29% above the national median of $100,840. Local prices are 6.7% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $84,988 would in a typical U.S. city. Sacramento, CA ranks #7 of 125 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a civil engineer afford rent in Sacramento, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Sacramento, CA is $1,812 a month ($2,241 for two bedrooms) — 24% of a median civil engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Sacramento, CA
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $142,460
- Electrical Engineer — $136,190
- Environmental Engineer — $133,240
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $125,980
- Engineers, All Other — $124,220
- Mechanical Engineer — $120,970
- Industrial Engineer — $110,190
- Civil Engineering Technologist and Technician — $84,690
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $79,800
- Architectural and Civil Drafter — $76,950