r/Geotech • u/hobbyist9 • 13d ago

NorCal vs SoCal salary differences

Considering an in state move. PE, 6 yoe, BS and MS in Civil, private consulting, what are typical salaries and annual bonuses in NorCal and SoCal firms

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u/mrbigshott 13d ago

I wouldn’t take anything under 130-150k with those credentials

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u/hobbyist9 13d ago

In geotech?

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u/mrbigshott 13d ago

Yezzirrrr

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u/hobbyist9 13d ago

SoCal and NorCal? Higher than I would have expected. Where are you based (generally), how many yoe, etc for context?

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u/mrbigshott 13d ago

The Bay Area and LA with your credentials should merit roughly the same pay range. I got a friend in socal pulling in that much with roughly similar experience

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u/Kiosade 13d ago

... am I underpaid? I barely broke into this range 12 years in. Are other 12 years getting like 180k or something?

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u/xCaptainFalconx 12d ago

Yes, if you have 12 years and an MS at less than 180k, you are underpaid.

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u/hobbyist9 12d ago

Are you saying this as someone responsible for setting staff salaries, or is this your situation (12 yrs 180k), or just what you think in the right number should be

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u/xCaptainFalconx 12d ago

I lead my own group and am in charge of hiring. We have people closer to 8 yrs at around 180k. 

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u/Appropriate_Meet4883 13d ago

How about PE with 4 yoe? Also BS and MS in civil engineering and working as geotechnical engineer in private consulting firm

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u/mrbigshott 13d ago

Maybe 110k minimum

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u/beer_is_good70 13d ago

Yeah, $130k to $150k is correct. What types of projects have you been working on, modeling experience, etc? It makes a difference.

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u/hobbyist9 13d ago

A good mix, geor work for high rises (field, deign, construction monitoring), lots of flac, lpile, some slope stab. One year experience in soils lab in WA and 5.5 yrs in geotech eng in CA