Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Berkeley, CA: $57.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Berkeley, CA runs $57.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $118,589 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Berkeley's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $50.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $71,150 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Berkeley, California, can expect a median hourly pay of $57.01, significantly higher than the national median of $49.76. This robust hourly rate translates well for both part-time professionals working three days a week and per-diem engineers who might operate in differentiated environments, including consulting firms, government offices, and on construction sites. For those entering the profession, starting at an hourly rate around $39.48 makes way for seasoned professionals who can command as much as $88.37 per hour, reflecting the substantial range of pay available in this field. The hourly estimates are derived from annual salary figures, painting a clear picture of earning potential in various workplace settings.
About the Berkeley 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) | $39.48 | $315.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.75 | $366.02 |
| Median (P50) | $57.01 | $456.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72.60 | $580.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88.37 | $707.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Berkeley
Based on $57.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $57.01/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Berkeley, CA can expect to earn approximately $118,583 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $68,413. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Berkeley.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Berkeley
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,280.44 | $9,882 | $118,583 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,368.26 | $5,929 | $71,150 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $912.18 | $3,953 | $47,433 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Berkeley) | $57.01 |
| 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 Berkeley, CA earn a median of $118,589 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.59% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 0.40% above the California state average of $118,116.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $57.01/hr = $71,150/year (purchasing power: $62,909).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $118,583/year (purchasing power: $104,848).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$47.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$55.55/hr
2026 Current Est.
$57.01/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Berkeley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $68.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $55.55/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Berkeley grew 15.8% from $47.96/hr (2019) to $55.55/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $58.51/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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley
Analyzing the earning potential, a civil engineer working part-time three days a week, clocking 24 hours, would take home around $71,685 annually, a respectable amount compared to full-time earnings. Additionally, per-diem civil engineers in Berkeley typically bill between $100 and $180 per hour, with niche areas of expertise, such as forensic analysis, fetching even higher rates up to $500 for expert testimony. When considering employment settings, hourly rates can vary widely; top engineering firms often offer competitive pay, while state and federal positions may provide attractive benefit packages at lower hourly wages. Many engineers faced with the choice between a higher hourly rate without benefits or a lower rate that includes insurance must weigh their options carefully; those negotiating for hourly positions can emphasize their skills and local industry demand due to infrastructure investments driven by recent legislation.
More salary data for Berkeley, 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 Berkeley. 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 Berkeley 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