salary$130,160 a year$63 an hour · median pay in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$90,860per year
Top pay (top 10%)$202,730per year
Jobs in the area10,990people work this job
Can a civil engineer afford San Mateo?
Expensive. Rent of $3,358 a month takes 31.0% of the median civil engineer salary. That is over the 30% rule, so many people in this job share housing or need a second income.
Civil Engineer pay in similar cities
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in San Mateo, CA?
The median pay for a civil engineer in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area is $130,160 a year ($63 an hour). Most earn between $90,860 and $202,730.
Can a civil engineer afford to live in San Mateo?
Typical rent of $3,358 a month takes 31.0% of the median civil engineer salary, which we rate Expensive.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area.