Transportation Engineers Salary in CA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Transportation Engineers in CA have a median annual salary of $122,500, with 55,180 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $77,980 at the 10th percentile to $175,940 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$122,500

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$58.89

Employment

55,180

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$77,980
10th
$96,590
25th
$122,500
Median
$149,350
75th
$175,940
90th

Local compared with national

CA

$122,500

Median annual · 2025

United States

$100,840

Median annual · 2025

The CA median is 21.5% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $21,660).

Top skills

  1. 1.Reading ComprehensionImportance 4.0
  2. 2.WritingImportance 4.0
  3. 3.SpeakingImportance 4.0
  4. 4.Critical ThinkingImportance 4.0
  5. 5.MathematicsImportance 3.9
  6. 6.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.9
  7. 7.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.9
  8. 8.Time ManagementImportance 3.9
  9. 9.Active ListeningImportance 3.8
  10. 10.Systems AnalysisImportance 3.8
  11. 11.Systems EvaluationImportance 3.8
  12. 12.CoordinationImportance 3.6

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
None
Job zone
4

Technology used

  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
  • Autodesk Land Desktop
  • Bentley GEOPAK Civil Engineering Suite
  • Bentley InRoads Suite
  • Bentley MicroStation
  • Citilabs Cube
  • Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
  • Cubic Synchro Studio
  • ESRI ArcGIS software
  • McTrans Center TSIS-CORSIM
  • McTrans HCS+
  • McTrans TRANSYT-7F
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software

Common tasks

  • Design or prepare plans for new transportation systems or parts of systems, such as airports, commuter trains, highways, streets, bridges, drainage structures, or roadway lighting.
  • Check construction plans, design calculations, or cost estimations to ensure completeness, accuracy, or conformity to engineering standards or practices.
  • Prepare administrative, technical, or statistical reports on traffic-operation matters, such as accidents, safety measures, or pedestrian volume or practices.
  • Plan alteration or modification of existing transportation structures to improve safety or function.
  • Confer with contractors, utility companies, or government agencies to discuss plans, specifications, or work schedules.
  • Present data, maps, or other information at construction-related public hearings or meetings.
  • Prepare final project layout drawings that include details such as stress calculations.
  • Investigate traffic problems and recommend methods to improve traffic flow or safety.
  • Estimate transportation project costs.
  • Design or engineer drainage, erosion, or sedimentation control systems for transportation projects.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Transportation Engineers salary in other locations

Other occupations in CA