CDCareer Decision

Transportation Engineers Salary in San Luis Obispo, CA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Transportation Engineers in San Luis Obispo, CA have a median annual salary of $110,210, with 720 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $75,580 at the 10th percentile to $163,890 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

$110,210

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$52.99

Employment

720

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$75,580
10th
$86,770
25th
$110,210
Median
$138,140
75th
$163,890
90th

Local compared with national

San Luis Obispo, CA

$110,210

Median annual · 2025

United States

$100,840

Median annual · 2025

The San Luis Obispo, CA median is 9.3% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $9,370).

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 San Luis Obispo, CA