salary$130,280 a year$63 an hour · median pay in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$81,790per year
Top pay (top 10%)$205,330per year
Jobs in the area3,170people work this job
Can a civil engineer afford San Jose?
OK. Rent of $3,046 a month takes 28.1% of the median civil engineer salary. That is under the 30% rule, so one paycheck covers rent comfortably.
Civil Engineer pay in similar cities
Other jobs in San Jose
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in San Jose, CA?
The median pay for a civil engineer in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area is $130,280 a year ($63 an hour). Most earn between $81,790 and $205,330.
Can a civil engineer afford to live in San Jose?
Typical rent of $3,046 a month takes 28.1% of the median civil engineer salary, which we rate OK.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area.