Civil Engineer Salary

Bellflower vs Los Angeles: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare civil engineer salaries between Bellflower, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bellflower, CA
$117,448
$56.47/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$111,497
$53.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBellflower, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$117,448$111,497
Hourly Rate$56.47$53.60
Entry Level (P10)$75,983$74,776
25th Percentile$94,070$86,702
75th Percentile$150,333$145,283
Top Earner (P90)$182,044$175,159
Total Employed1116,340
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bellflower ($117,448) and Los Angeles ($111,497) civil engineer salaries.BellflowerLos AngelesMedian Salary$117,448$111,497Entry Level (P10)$75,983$74,776Top Earner (P90)$182,044$175,159US Median $103,492

Verdict

Bellflower, CA offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Los Angeles.

The salary gap between Bellflower and Los Angeles is $5,951 (5.34%). Bellflower's median is +13.49% compared to the US national median of $103,492.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bellflower spans $106,061,Los Angeles spans $100,383. Bellflower has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bellflower
P10 (Entry)$75,983
P25$94,070
Median$117,448
P75$150,333
P90 (Top)$182,044
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$74,776
P25$86,702
Median$111,497
P75$145,283
P90 (Top)$175,159

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bellflower ($103,844 effective) pays 5.77% more than Los Angeles ($98,178 effective).

Bellflower
Nominal: $117,448
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $103,844
Los Angeles
Nominal: $111,497
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $98,178

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bellflower if…

  • Higher median salary ($117,448/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($182,044)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $103,844)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Larger job market (16,340 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Bellflower grew -18.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 1.4% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Bellflower, CA

+-18.6%

$140,538 (2024) → $114,438 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+1.4%

$107,100 (2019) → $108,640 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Bellflower or Los Angeles?

Bellflower has a higher median civil engineer salary at $117,448/year, compared to Los Angeles at $111,497/year — a difference of $5,951 (5.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bellflower and Los Angeles?

Bellflower civil engineers earn $56.47/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $53.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bellflower to Los Angeles as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bellflower and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bellflower = $103,844, Los Angeles = $98,178), job availability (11 vs 16,340 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level civil engineers earn in Bellflower vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $75,983 in Bellflower and $74,776 in Los Angeles. The Bellflower area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JC

Written by Jordan Chen, P.E.

Career Analyst

Jordan Chen has 10 years of experience in structural engineering. He works primarily in urban infrastructure projects.

Clinically reviewed by Aisha Patel, Ph.D.Data verified by Carlos Ramirez, M.S.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.63% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov