Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Chino Hills, CA: $56.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Chino Hills, CA runs $56.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $118,365 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Chino Hills's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $50.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $71,022 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chino Hills, California, civil engineers can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $56.91, which is significantly higher than the national median of $49.76. This favorable pay rate suggests solid opportunities for part-time and per diem civil engineers, particularly those working three days a week in consulting firm offices or field-related environments. Those in positions involving computer-aided design (CAD) or remote plan-checking tasks can earn quite a bit, as they accommodate flexible hours. Entry-level civil engineers may start at $37.47 per hour, while experienced professionals can reach up to $88.20 an hour, highlighting the profession's potential for financial growth in various work settings throughout Chino Hills.
About the Chino Hills 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) | $37.47 | $299.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.95 | $351.57 |
| Median (P50) | $56.91 | $455.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72.84 | $582.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88.20 | $705.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chino Hills
Based on $56.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $56.91/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chino Hills, CA can expect to earn approximately $118,369 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $68,290. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chino Hills.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chino Hills
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,276.33 | $9,864 | $118,369 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,365.80 | $5,918 | $71,022 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $910.53 | $3,946 | $47,348 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Chino Hills) | $56.91 |
| 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 Chino Hills, CA earn a median of $118,365 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.37% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 0.20% above the California state average of $118,129.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $56.91/hr = $71,022/year (purchasing power: $62,795).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $118,369/year (purchasing power: $104,659).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$47.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$55.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$56.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Chino Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $68.09/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $55.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Chino Hills grew 15.8% from $47.87/hr (2019) to $55.45/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $58.41/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 Chino Hills 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 Chino Hills
Part-time civil engineers in Chino Hills, working 24 hours weekly, could see earnings of approximately $44,883 annually, reflecting the advantages of flexible schedules. For those opting for per diem roles, the landscape can be even more lucrative; they typically bill between $100 and $180 per hour, while expert witnesses—a niche area within civil engineering—command rates of $250 to $500 per hour. Rates fluctuate depending on the employer type, where large engineering firms like AECOM and Jacobs tend to offer different pay structures compared to small local contractors or government agencies. Many civil engineers must weigh the benefits of a stable hourly wage with health insurance against higher pay without benefits. Negotiating hourly rates, which can vary significantly by project and employer, is critical in this dynamic job market, particularly in a growing region driven by infrastructure demands under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for Chino Hills, 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 Chino Hills. 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 Chino Hills 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