Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in La Habra, CA: $54.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in La Habra, CA runs $54.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $114,089 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against La Habra's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $48.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $68,447 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In La Habra, California, civil engineers are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $54.85 in 2026, which is approximately 10.24% higher than the national median hourly rate of $49.76. This competitive wage provides a solid foundation for both full-time and part-time civil engineers, especially those who may work three days a week in consulting firms or public works offices. For part-time professionals, this equates to a respectable income even when working fewer hours. The hourly rates for civil engineers in La Habra exhibit a broad range, starting at $37.30 for entry-level positions and potentially reaching $85.02 for highly experienced engineers in specialized fields. These figures are derived from anticipated annual salaries, positioning La Habra's civil engineer hourly rates as attractive compared to many other regions in California.
About the La Habra 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) | $37.30 | $298.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.24 | $345.90 |
| Median (P50) | $54.85 | $438.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70.21 | $561.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85.02 | $680.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in La Habra
Based on $54.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $54.85/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in La Habra, CA can expect to earn approximately $114,079 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $65,815. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in La Habra.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in La Habra
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,193.82 | $9,507 | $114,079 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,316.29 | $5,704 | $68,447 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $877.53 | $3,803 | $45,631 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (La Habra) | $54.85 |
| 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 La Habra, CA earn a median of $114,089 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.24% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 3.40% below the California state average of $118,104.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $54.85/hr = $68,447/year (purchasing power: $60,519).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $114,079/year (purchasing power: $100,865).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$46.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$53.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$54.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in La Habra (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.66/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $65.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $53.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in La Habra grew 15.8% from $46.14/hr (2019) to $53.44/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $56.29/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 La Habra 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 La Habra
In terms of part-time employment, a civil engineer working 24 hours per week in La Habra could potentially take home around $68,096 annually, whereas a full-time engineer would see this increase significantly. Furthermore, per-diem opportunities for civil engineers can yield even more lucrative hourly rates. Many professionals in this area may bill $100 to $180 per hour for short-term assignments, with specialized roles—such as forensic engineers or those conducting geotechnical studies—charging $150 to $250 per hour. The hourly pay varies significantly across employers, with larger engineering firms and Fortune 500 construction companies often offering higher wages compared to local public agencies or smaller consultancies. Engineers may have to balance higher hourly compensation offered by firms without benefits against the stability and health coverage provided by government roles. Negotiation tactics for hourly workers in La Habra should focus on leveraging specialized skills and local market knowledge, providing an advantage when discussing rates and opportunities in this competitive job market.
More salary data for La Habra, 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 La Habra. 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 La Habra 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