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State comparison · 2025

Civil Engineers salary: California vs Washington

Occupation

Civil Engineers in California earn a median of $122,500. In Washington, $110,000. After cost-of-living, the gap is 7.6% — not 11.4%.

Nominal pay gap
+11.4%
California vs Washington
COL-adjusted gap
+7.6%
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

Washington

Civil Engineers

Median
$110,000
p25
$96,230
p75
$133,050
p10
$81,840
p90
$160,670
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
107.0
Hiring velocity (180d)
-58%
See full breakdown for Washington

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.