Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Hayward, CA: $57.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Hayward, CA runs $57.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $119,696 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Hayward's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $50.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $71,816 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hayward, California, civil engineer hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $57.54 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national hourly median of $49.76. This rate not only reflects the competitive nature of the local job market but also presents significant opportunities for both full-time and part-time professionals. For civil engineers opting for part-time work—say, a typical schedule of three days a week—their hourly compensation allows for a comfortable income while providing flexibility to manage other commitments. Per-diem workers operating in a variety of environments, from consulting firm offices equipped with advanced tools like AutoCAD to field offices on construction sites, see hourly pay range broadly, with entry-level positions starting around $36.35 and experienced professionals earning up to $89.20, indicating diverse opportunities based on experience and specialization.
About the Hayward 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) | $36.35 | $290.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.81 | $374.48 |
| Median (P50) | $57.54 | $460.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73.66 | $589.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89.20 | $713.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hayward
Based on $57.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $57.54/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hayward, CA can expect to earn approximately $119,693 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $69,054. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Hayward.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hayward
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,301.79 | $9,974 | $119,693 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,381.07 | $5,985 | $71,816 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $920.71 | $3,990 | $47,877 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Hayward) | $57.54 |
| 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 Hayward, CA earn a median of $119,696 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.66% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 1.30% above the California state average of $118,160.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $57.54/hr = $71,816/year (purchasing power: $63,498).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $119,693/year (purchasing power: $105,829).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$48.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$56.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$57.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Hayward (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $49.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $53.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $68.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $56.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Hayward grew 15.8% from $48.41/hr (2019) to $56.07/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $59.06/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 Hayward 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 Hayward
Evaluating the potential for part-time earning as a civil engineer in Hayward reveals that for those working 24 hours a week, the annual take-home could be significant, still maintaining a good standard of living considering the local cost of living index at 113.1. Those working per diem or as independent contractors can often command hourly rates between $100 and $180, depending on their expertise and the nature of their work. For example, specialist roles like forensic engineering can lead to billing at rates of $250 to $500 per hour. Employers in Hayward vary widely, from high-profile engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs to Fortune 500 construction companies such as Bechtel. Engineers working for state or federal entities may find the trade-offs between lower hourly rates and comprehensive health benefits appealing. When negotiating hourly rates, understanding the specifics of employer benefit packages and the regional job market dynamics can significantly influence a civil engineer’s decisions about employment type and compensation.
More salary data for Hayward, 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 Hayward. 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 Hayward 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