Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Fresno, CA: $59.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Fresno, CA runs $59.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $122,869 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Fresno's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.2, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $57.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $73,724 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fresno, California, the civil engineer hourly pay is projected to reach $59.07 in 2026, significantly outpacing the national median of $49.76 per hour. This competitive rate not only illustrates the demand for civil engineers in the area but also means that even part-time professionals, working three days a week, can still earn a respectable income. At this hourly rate, a part-time engineer could bring in around $46,440 annually. The hourly earnings for civil engineers in Fresno vary widely, starting from approximately $36.95 for entry-level positions to around $81.25 for top earners, highlighting a robust range of opportunities within consulting firms, government offices, and construction sites with the latest CAD and design technologies. All figures are sourced from the comprehensive BLS OEWS data, ensuring reliability for potential candidates assessing their career choices in civil engineering.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.95 | $295.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.84 | $358.71 |
| Median (P50) | $59.07 | $472.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69.03 | $552.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.25 | $650.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fresno
Based on $59.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $59.07/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fresno, CA can expect to earn approximately $122,874 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $70,889. With a cost-of-living index of 102.16 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fresno.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fresno
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,362.95 | $10,239 | $122,874 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,417.77 | $6,144 | $73,724 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $945.18 | $4,096 | $49,149 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Fresno) | $59.07 |
| 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 Fresno, CA earn a median of $122,869 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.72% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 4.00% above the California state average of $118,143.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $59.07/hr = $73,724/year (purchasing power: $72,167).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $122,874/year (purchasing power: $120,278).
CoL index: 102.158 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$52.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$59.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Fresno (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $56.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $52.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $55.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Fresno grew 9.6% from $52.53/hr (2019) to $57.56/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $60.63/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 Fresno 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 Fresno
Civil engineers in Fresno have substantial earning potential on a part-time basis, particularly for those who work 24 hours a week—taking home approximately $46,440 annually compared to full-time counterparts. Many professionals opt for per diem or subcontractor roles, where they can demand hourly rates that often reach $100-$180, especially for specialized services such as geotechnical investigations or hydraulic studies. For those taking on roles as expert witnesses, rates can soar even higher, between $250-$500 per hour. The employer landscape diversifies the hourly rates as well; consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs could offer varying compensation levels compared to Fortune 500 construction companies such as Bechtel and Kiewit. While many engineers may choose lower pay for the stability of benefits, especially in local government or large agencies, negotiating for higher hourly wages without benefits remains an attractive option for many in the field. Understanding the dynamics of the local job market, including the impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law on hiring trends, can help civil engineers in Fresno strategically position themselves for maximum earning potential.
More salary data for Fresno, 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 Fresno. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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