Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Escondido, CA: $58.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Escondido, CA runs $58.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $122,035 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Escondido's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $51.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $73,225 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Escondido, California, civil engineers earn a median hourly pay of $58.67, significantly outpacing the national median of $49.76. This higher hourly rate creates favorable conditions for those seeking part-time positions or per-diem opportunities, as civil engineers can work in various settings, such as consulting firms, construction sites, government offices, and through remote arrangements. With an hourly range spanning from $38.92 to $90.94, professionals at the entry-level can expect to receive competitive compensation while experienced engineers command higher wages. As these estimates are derived from annual salary data, they provide a framework for understanding the financial landscape for civil engineers in Escondido.
About the Escondido 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) | $38.92 | $311.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.61 | $364.87 |
| Median (P50) | $58.67 | $469.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75.09 | $600.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90.94 | $727.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Escondido
Based on $58.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $58.67/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Escondido, CA can expect to earn approximately $122,041 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $70,408. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Escondido.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Escondido
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,346.94 | $10,170 | $122,041 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,408.17 | $6,102 | $73,225 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $938.78 | $4,068 | $48,816 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Escondido) | $58.67 |
| 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 Escondido, CA earn a median of $122,035 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.92% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 3.30% above the California state average of $118,137.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $58.67/hr = $73,225/year (purchasing power: $64,743).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $122,041/year (purchasing power: $107,905).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$49.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$58.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Escondido (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $50.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $70.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Escondido grew 15.8% from $49.36/hr (2019) to $57.17/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $60.22/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 Escondido 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 Escondido
For those working part-time, a 3-day work week (24 hours) translates into an annual income considerably lower than what a full-time civil engineer might earn, while still providing a viable income source that can offer a work-life balance. Per-diem civil engineers in Escondido may bill between $100 and $180 hourly, with experienced experts in specific areas, such as structural or forensic engineering, potentially earning $250 to $500 per hour. Differences in hourly rates are also influenced by employer types, as engineering consulting firms, Fortune 500 construction companies, and government agencies each have their pay scales. Some engineers may accept lower hourly rates for the security of health benefits provided by full-time roles, while others might prioritize higher pay without benefits. Negotiating hourly pay requires knowledge of the local market and effective communication of personal value, emphasizing expertise to enhance earning potential within the Escondido area.
More salary data for Escondido, 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 Escondido. 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 Escondido 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