Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Indio, CA: $55.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Indio, CA runs $55.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $115,998 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Indio's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $69,600 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in Indio, California, can expect an hourly compensation of $55.77, significantly above the national median of $49.76. This increased pay reflects not only the local demand for these professionals but also the rise in infrastructure spending spurred by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. For those working part-time or on a per-diem basis, this hourly rate can make a substantial difference. In typical settings, such as consulting firm offices equipped with CAD/AutoCAD workstations or construction sites, a civil engineer can earn from $39.20 at the entry-level to about $86.45 at the top end of the wage scale. This range highlights the growth potential for those who progress through their careers and gain valuable experience and credentials like the PE license.
About the Indio 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) | $39.20 | $313.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.05 | $360.44 |
| Median (P50) | $55.77 | $446.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71.38 | $571.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.45 | $691.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Indio
Based on $55.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $55.77/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Indio, CA can expect to earn approximately $116,000 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $66,923. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Indio.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Indio
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,230.77 | $9,667 | $116,000 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,338.46 | $5,800 | $69,600 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $892.31 | $3,867 | $46,400 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Indio) | $55.77 |
| 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 Indio, CA earn a median of $115,998 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.08% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 1.80% below the California state average of $118,124.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $55.77/hr = $69,600/year (purchasing power: $61,538).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $116,000/year (purchasing power: $102,564).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$46.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$54.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$55.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Indio (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.45/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $66.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $54.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Indio grew 15.8% from $46.91/hr (2019) to $54.34/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $57.24/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 Indio 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 Indio
In terms of actual earnings, choosing to work three days a week as a civil engineer, totaling 24 hours, can lead to an annual income that remains competitive with full-time roles, though some may find it less lucrative due to fewer hours. Per-diem civil engineer pay in Indio frequently ranges from $100 to $180 per hour, thereby attracting professionals who appreciate the flexibility this entails. Senior-level positions, especially in specialty consulting or as expert witnesses, can command rates as high as $250 to $500 per hour. Hourly rates can significantly vary depending on the type of employer, with engineering consulting firms generally offering competitive rates, while government roles may come with the trade-off of benefits such as health insurance. Negotiating hourly pay should reflect not only the experience but also personalize the benefits considered—those who prioritize flexible scheduling may find greater satisfaction accepting lower hourly rates in exchange for health security.
More salary data for Indio, 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 Indio. 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 Indio 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