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State comparison · 2025

Civil Engineers salary: California vs District of Columbia

Occupation

Civil Engineers in California earn a median of $122,500. In District of Columbia, $103,880. After cost-of-living, the gap is 17.1% — not 17.9%.

Nominal pay gap
+17.9%
California vs District of Columbia
COL-adjusted gap
+17.1%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

California

Civil Engineers

Median
$122,500
p25
$96,590
p75
$149,350
p10
$77,980
p90
$175,940
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
110.7
Hiring velocity (180d)
-58%
See full breakdown for California

District of Columbia

Civil Engineers

Median
$103,880
p25
$82,120
p75
$130,720
p10
$78,780
p90
$164,200
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
109.9
Hiring velocity (180d)
-72%
See full breakdown for District of Columbia

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.