Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Alameda, CA: $55.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Alameda, CA runs $55.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $114,743 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Alameda's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $48.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $68,844 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Alameda, California, civil engineers command a median hourly rate of $55.16, surpassing the national average of $49.76. This competitive compensation reflects the city's cost of living, which stands at 113.1 on the index. For part-time or per diem civil engineers working three days a week, this translates to potential earnings of around $42,091 annually, if they work 24 hours per week. The hourly pay ranges from $38.07 for entry-level positions to $85.50 for experienced professionals, with typical work environments including consulting firm offices equipped with advanced design software, construction site field offices, and various governmental agencies. These hourly estimates are derived from comprehensive annual salary data, indicating solid earning potential for those entering or advancing within this profession.
About the Alameda Market
Salary estimated from California average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.07 | $304.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.86 | $350.91 |
| Median (P50) | $55.16 | $441.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70.61 | $564.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85.50 | $684.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Alameda
Based on $55.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $55.16/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Alameda, CA can expect to earn approximately $114,740 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $66,196. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Alameda.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Alameda
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,206.55 | $9,562 | $114,740 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,323.93 | $5,737 | $68,844 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $882.62 | $3,825 | $45,896 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Alameda) | $55.16 |
| Mechanical Engineer (National Avg) | $48.61 |
| Electrical Engineer (National Avg) | $54.18 |
| Architect (National Avg) | $45.72 |
| Construction Manager (National Avg) | $51.87 |
Civil Engineers in Alameda, CA earn a median of $114,743 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.87% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 2.90% below the California state average of $118,170.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $55.16/hr = $68,844/year (purchasing power: $60,870).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $114,740/year (purchasing power: $101,450).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$46.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$53.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$55.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Alameda (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $66.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $53.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Alameda grew 15.8% from $46.40/hr (2019) to $53.75/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $56.61/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem civil engineers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alameda 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.
Working as an Hourly Civil Engineer in Alameda
When considering the per diem civil engineer pay in Alameda, there's significant variability. Those on 1099 contracts often bill between $100 and $180 per hour, particularly for specialized services such as geotechnical investigations or structural forensics, where experienced experts may receive rates ranging from $250 to $500 per hour. Engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, alongside Fortune 500 construction companies, typically provide higher hourly rates but may offer less comprehensive benefits compared to public-sector roles. This trade-off results in a dynamic employment environment, compelling many civil engineers to weigh hourly earnings against benefits like health insurance. For those negotiating their rates, showcasing unique qualifications or specialized certifications can be a valuable strategy in Alameda's competitive job market, especially in light of ongoing infrastructure investments spurred by policies like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for Alameda, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for civil engineers in Alameda. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Alameda 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