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Entry Level Transportation Engineer Jobs in California

City of Chico

Assistant Engineer

Chico, CA · On-site

$80K - $107K/yr

Class Characteristics This is the entry-level classification in the professional Engineering series ... Principles and practices of traffic and transportation engineering; Land development principles and ...

Actalent

Chemist - ENTRY LEVEL

Inglewood, CA · On-site

$24 - $25/hr

... Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick ... About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent ...

New

City of Chico, CA

Assistant Engineer

Chico, CA · On-site

$80K - $107K/yr

Class Characteristics This is the entry-level classification in the professional Engineering series ... Principles and practices of traffic and transportation engineering; * Land development principles ...

AECOM

Entry Level Structural Engineer

Orange, CA · On-site

AECOM is actively seeking a highly motivated Entry Level Structural Engineer to join our California ... transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create ...

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All JobsTransportation Engineer JobsEntry Level Transportation Engineer JobsEntry Level Transportation Engineer Jobs in California

Entry Level Transportation Engineer information

See California salary details

$29.6K

$68.5K

$116.5K

How much do entry level transportation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level transportation engineer in California is $68,454.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,800.00 and $77,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical projects and responsibilities for an Entry Level Transportation Engineer in their first year?

As an Entry Level Transportation Engineer, you can expect to work on a variety of tasks such as preparing design plans, conducting traffic studies, assisting with roadway or intersection design, and supporting senior engineers with data collection and analysis. You may also collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, attend site visits, and help prepare reports or presentations for clients and stakeholders. This role offers the chance to build foundational skills in transportation engineering while learning about industry standards and project workflows.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Most entry-level transportation engineers do not earn $300,000 annually; such high salaries are typically seen in senior or specialized roles, often requiring extensive experience, advanced degrees, or management responsibilities. Engineers in fields like petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering may reach this level with significant expertise and leadership positions, but it is uncommon for entry-level transportation engineers to earn this amount.

What is the difference between Entry Level Transportation Engineer vs Transportation Planner?

AspectEntry Level Transportation EngineerTransportation Planner
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Civil Engineering or related field; Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification often preferredBachelor's in Urban Planning, Geography, or related field; may require certification in planning
Work EnvironmentDesigning transportation systems, analyzing traffic data, working on engineering projectsDeveloping transportation policies, conducting planning studies, community engagement
Employer & Industry UsageEngineering firms, government transportation departments, construction companiesMunicipalities, regional planning agencies, consulting firms

Entry Level Transportation Engineers focus on designing and analyzing transportation infrastructure, requiring engineering credentials. Transportation Planners concentrate on planning and policy development, often with a background in urban planning. Both roles are essential in transportation projects but differ in daily tasks and focus areas.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Transportation Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Transportation Engineer, you generally need a bachelor's degree in civil or transportation engineering, strong analytical skills, and a solid understanding of transportation principles. Familiarity with design and simulation software like AutoCAD, MicroStation, and traffic analysis tools, as well as experience with relevant codes and standards, is crucial. Strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities help you collaborate effectively and adapt to project demands. These competencies ensure you can contribute to safe, efficient transportation systems while supporting project goals and regulatory compliance.

Are transportation engineers in high demand?

Transportation engineers are in high demand due to ongoing infrastructure projects and urban development. They often require skills in traffic analysis, design software, and knowledge of transportation systems, making the profession stable with good job prospects.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Most entry-level transportation engineers do not earn $500,000 annually. High salaries in engineering typically occur at senior levels, in specialized roles, or with significant experience, often exceeding $150,000 to $200,000 per year. Achieving a $500,000 salary usually requires advanced positions such as senior project managers, consulting engineers, or executives with extensive expertise and leadership responsibilities.

What does an Entry Level Transportation Engineer do?

An Entry Level Transportation Engineer assists in the planning, design, and implementation of transportation infrastructure projects such as roads, highways, bridges, and traffic systems. Their responsibilities typically include conducting site assessments, preparing technical drawings, analyzing traffic data, and supporting senior engineers with project management tasks. They often use specialized software to create models and ensure projects comply with safety and environmental standards. This role is ideal for recent engineering graduates looking to gain practical experience in the transportation field.

How to get into transportation engineering?

To become an entry-level transportation engineer, obtain a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, transportation engineering, or a related field. Gaining experience through internships, developing skills in traffic analysis and design software, and obtaining relevant certifications can improve job prospects.
What are the most commonly searched types of Transportation Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Transportation Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Transportation Engineer jobs in California? For Entry Level Transportation Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Transportation Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Transportation Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level Transportation Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Entry Level Transportation Engineer job openings:
Entry Level Transportation Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Transportation Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% Internship, 81% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 4% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $68,454 per year, or $32.9 per hour.

Entry-level Transportation Engineer/Planner (Summer 2026)

Fehr & Peers

Walnut Creek, CA

$91K - $94K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 28 days ago

Job description

If you are interested in multiple locations please only apply once, your preference will be discussed during the screening process.
 
At Fehr & Peers, we are a diverse group of individuals with one thing in common-a passion for transportation. We highly value that same passion in candidates for our team. Our Entry-Level Engineers and Planners may expect to build a career foundation through a wide variety of experiences. Our emphasis on the early development of project management and technical skills provides the tools for success as well as a foundation for increasing career growth. These opportunities for personal and professional growth are maximized through experience in both planning and engineering project work and by exposure to a multitude of project types and tasks, including the following:
 
- Transportation impact studies 
- Bicycle and pedestrian planning 
- Access, circulation, and parking studies 
- Multimodal operations assessments 
- Complete streets planning, operations, and design 
- Cost estimates and project specifications 
- Transit forecasting and operations 
- Travel behavior forecasting 
- Vehicle miles of travel (VMT) assessments 
- Systemic safety studies 
- Highway interchange/corridor studies 
- Climate action plans 
- Freight planning 
- Transportation demand management (TDM) plans 
- Design drawings from the conceptual stage all the way to construction-ready documents, including the following: 
- Bikeways/complete streets 
- Signing and striping 
- Traffic signals/ITS 
- Street lighting 
- Roundabouts 
- Temporary traffic control 
 
Please review the responsibilities below.
Ongoing:
  • Conduct transportation analysis and write reports 
  • Participate in meetings, including preparing presentations and public outreach materials 
  • Handle project management responsibilities  
  • Participate in professional organizations 
  • Conduct site visits and collect field data  
  • Explore the Fehr & Peers internal Research and Development program 
By the end of the first month:
  • Participate in on-the-job training and mentoring 
  • Work on a few different projects 
  • Seek additional work from project managers 
By the end of six months:
  • Work on a variety of projects with most staff in the office 
  • Use several technical software programs 
  • Prepare deliverables, including memos, reports, and presentations 
By the end of the first year:
  • Attend multiple client meetings 
  • Increase responsibility for managing small projects 
Qualifications (We encourage all applicants to apply, even if you don't meet all of the qualifications listed below)
  • An entrepreneurial spirit and proactive approach to communication and getting work done 
  • Genuine curiosity for the work and familiarity with the challenges of day-to-day travel within your community 
  • Completed bachelor's or in-progress master's degree in transportation, civil or electrical engineering, urban and regional planning, or a related major (e.g., geography, math, statistics, economics) 
  • Coursework in transportation, engineering, urban and regional planning, geography, math, statistics, economics, or other related courses (an EIT for engineering candidates is preferred) 
  • Experience or exposure related to the following topic areas (note that experience in all these areas is not required) Topic Areas: Field work, traffic operations analysis, signal design, transportation planning (e.g., bicycle or transit plans, infrastructure finance, transportation and land use policy, and/or travel demand modeling) 
  • Experience or exposure to relevant software (note that experience with all software is not required). General-Microsoft Excel, GIS (ArcGIS, QGIS), and/or CAD (AutoCAD, Microstation). Traffic Operations Analysis-HCS, Synchro/SimTraffic, Vistro, VISSIM, and/or Sidra.  Travel Demand Modeling-Cube/Voyager, TransCAD, VISUM, and/or Emme. Programming-Python and/or R. 
  • Previous work experience in an office setting related to a topic area listed above 
  • Experience with technical writing and public speaking through school and/or work experience 
  • Interpersonal skills, a desire to collaborate, and a creative approach to problem-solving 
  • Organizational skills and the ability to balance priorities between multiple tasks within a defined timeline 
$91,500 - $94,500 a year
Placement within the stated pay range will be determined based upon education, experience, and qualifications.
Benefit Highlights:
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability Insurance.
401(k) Plan with matching and profit sharing.
Flexible Spending Accounts.
Commuter Benefits.
Paid Vacation, holidays and sick leave.
8 weeks of Paid Parental Leave.
Mentoring and Career Development programs.
Research and Development group participation, and more.
 
Full information about the benefits we offer can be found by visiting our careers page.
 
EEO: Fehr & Peers is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. We recruit, hire, develop, and promote employees based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We do not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

We value the unique experiences, perspectives, and contributions of our employees and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

Nondiscrimination: Fehr & Peers ensures nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact Human Resources.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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