Civil Engineering Degree in Bakersfield, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Civil Engineering degree analysis for Bakersfield, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$91K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$134K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.3 yrs
in Bakersfield
Cost of Living
134
index (100 = avg)
Civil Engineering in Bakersfield, CA Overview
Bakersfield, California (pop. 403,455) has 18 colleges offering Civil Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 134 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,090/month. Civil Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Structural Analysis and AutoCAD. The adjusted starting salary in Bakersfield is approximately $91,120.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
18
Public Tuition
$7,309/yr
Private Tuition
$35,366/yr
Room & Board
$18,003/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,787/yr
Unemployment
6.3%
Graduation Rate
48%
Civil Engineering Salary in Bakersfield (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Bakersfield's cost of living index of 134 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Civil Engineering salary: $68,000 starting, $100,000 mid-career, $125,000 senior level.Bakersfield adjustment factor: 1.34x based on the local cost of living index.
Civil Engineering ROI Calculator for Bakersfield
Estimate your return on investment for a Civil Engineering degree using local Bakersfield tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,309 | Private avg: $35,366
Bakersfield avg aid: $13,787/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$101,248
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$44,220
vs HS diploma in Bakersfield
ROI Payback Period
2.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Bakersfield
$1,037,752
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,139,000) minus total education cost ($101,248)
Student Loan Payoff for Civil Engineering in Bakersfield
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Bakersfield for Civil Engineering
California State University, Bakersfield
public
$7,309/yr
$29,236 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Bakersfield College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Civil Engineering in Bakersfield
Bakersfield offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Civil Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Bakersfield Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Civil Engineering Job Titles
Civil Engineering in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$96K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$95K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$88K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$78K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$80K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$76K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$79K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$90K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Bakersfield
Petroleum Engineering
$67K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$67K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$110K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$67K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$107K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$107K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$105K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$67K starting · 3 yr ROI
Civil Engineering Degree in Bakersfield — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Civil Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Bakersfield.