Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Burbank, CA: $56.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Burbank, CA runs $56.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $116,689 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Burbank's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $70,010 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burbank, CA, civil engineers earn a median hourly pay of $56.10, which exceeds the national median hourly rate of $49.76. This competitive rate reflects the city's robust infrastructure landscape and the ongoing impact of initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this translates to a solid income that facilitates a balanced lifestyle while engaging in vital project work. In terms of pay ranges, entry-level positions can expect rates starting around $35.84, while seasoned professionals can command as much as $86.96 per hour, making this profession financially rewarding across various career stages. Civil engineers in Burbank often perform their tasks in diverse environments, including consulting firm offices equipped with CAD software, governmental agencies, or remote work setups, all of which exemplify the profession’s versatility.
About the Burbank 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) | $35.84 | $286.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.75 | $341.96 |
| Median (P50) | $56.10 | $448.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71.81 | $574.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.96 | $695.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burbank
Based on $56.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $56.10/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burbank, CA can expect to earn approximately $116,683 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $67,317. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Burbank.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burbank
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,243.90 | $9,724 | $116,683 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,346.34 | $5,834 | $70,010 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $897.56 | $3,889 | $46,673 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Burbank) | $56.10 |
| 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 Burbank, CA earn a median of $116,689 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.75% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 1.20% below the California state average of $118,107.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $56.10/hr = $70,010/year (purchasing power: $61,901).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $116,683/year (purchasing power: $103,168).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$47.19/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$54.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$56.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Burbank (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.19/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $67.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $54.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Burbank grew 15.8% from $47.19/hr (2019) to $54.66/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $57.57/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 Burbank 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 Burbank
Analyzing the financial landscape for civil engineers reveals the attractive earning potential, especially for part-time workers. A civil engineer clocking 24 hours weekly could realistically bring home around $70,000 annually, all while enjoying flexibility not commonly found in full-time roles. The per diem civil engineer pay in Burbank can be strikingly lucrative; professionals billing through an agency often charge between $100 and $180 an hour, with experienced structural engineers stepping into expert witness roles demanding fees that range from $250 to $500 per hour. Additionally, the hourly rates gleaned from working in engineering consulting firms like AECOM or Jacobs may differ significantly from those in federal agencies or private development firms due to varied project scopes. Those who sometimes accept lower hourly rates may do so in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, a trade-off that should be carefully considered according to personal circumstances. Effective negotiation tactics can also enhance earnings; highlighting qualifications related to an ABET-accredited degree and PE licensing will place candidates in a stronger position when determining their worth in this market.
More salary data for Burbank, 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 Burbank. 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 Burbank 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