Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Moreno Valley, CA: $78,153 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Moreno Valley, CA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $78,153 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Moreno Valley's local price level (BEA RPP 113.1 — 13% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $69,101 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($119,244) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the civil engineering field in Moreno Valley, California, can expect an entry-level salary starting at approximately $78,153 in 2026. This figure reflects a substantial gap from the city's overall median salary for civil engineers, which is projected to be $119,244. However, as new engineers gain experience and credentials, there is a clear upward trajectory in earnings. Those progressing from entry-level roles can anticipate moving toward the first quartile salary of $92,368 within a few years, ultimately reaching or exceeding the median as they establish themselves in the field. Given the steady growth in civil engineering demand, bolstered by infrastructure funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Moreno Valley presents a solid job market for aspiring engineers right now.
About the Moreno Valley Market
Salary estimated from California average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Moreno Valley
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moreno Valley
Entry-level civil engineers in Moreno Valley, CA typically start between $78,153 and $92,368 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $106,674 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $119,244 — 15.22% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in California of $92,000 represents just 117.72% of the starting civil engineer pay ($78,153/year) in Moreno Valley. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover ABET-accredited undergraduate civil engineering programs at public and private universities. Licensure (FE after graduation, PE after 4 years experience) adds exam fees. Many engineers pursue master's degrees (MS or MEng).
CE, PE Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Moreno Valley
- 1Research the Moreno Valley market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $78,153 to $92,368, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the civil engineering field — employers in CA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Moreno Valley, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Moreno Valley for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Moreno Valley's above-average cost of living (index: 113.1) when evaluating offers — a slightly lower salary in a nearby affordable area may provide better purchasing power.
Civil Engineer Compensation Range
The civil engineer wage spread in Moreno Valley is $106,674 ( 136.49%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $78,153, experienced hygienists can earn up to $184,827.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,799
2025 BLS Actual
$76,150
2026 Current Est.
$78,153
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Moreno Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,799 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,569 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,115 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,548 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,505 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,153 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,208 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Moreno Valley, CA grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $61,799 in 2019 to $76,150 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $80,208. New graduates entering the Moreno Valley job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moreno Valley metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your civil engineering Career in Moreno Valley
In Moreno Valley, various employers seek new graduates to fill civil engineering positions, including prominent consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, which often have structured training programs for Engineers in Training (EITs). Additionally, state and federal agencies, like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, provide stable government career paths, while construction companies like Bechtel and Fluor frequently offer field-engineering roles. To maximize starting pay in CA, a civil engineering graduate should focus on obtaining a Bachelor's degree from an ABET-accredited program, passing the FE exam to earn EIT certification, and aiming for eventual licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE). Within the first one to three years, realistic salary growth is expected as more responsibilities are taken on, particularly with the engineering sector’s growth trajectory. As engineered structures and infrastructure improvement become more critical, demonstrated value through credentials and experience will differentiate early-career engineers seeking to ascend the ranks in Moreno Valley's evolving job market.
More salary data for Moreno Valley, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new civil engineering graduates. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Moreno Valley. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Moreno Valley is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for civil engineers (SOC 17-2051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov