RateOrchard
State comparison · 2025

Civil Engineers salary: California vs Idaho

Occupation

Civil Engineers in California earn a median of $122,500. In Idaho, $98,030. After cost-of-living, the gap is 7.8% — not 25%.

Nominal pay gap
+25%
California vs Idaho
COL-adjusted gap
+7.8%
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

Idaho

Civil Engineers

Median
$98,030
p25
$78,990
p75
$113,160
p10
$67,250
p90
$141,020
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
95.5
Hiring velocity (180d)
-27%
See full breakdown for Idaho

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.