Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Long Beach, CA: $53.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Long Beach, CA runs $53.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $111,868 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Long Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $47.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $67,115 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Long Beach, California, civil engineer hourly pay is projected to reach a median rate of $53.78 in 2026, significantly outpacing the national median of $49.76. This difference reflects the local demand for skilled engineers amid increased infrastructure spending, supported by initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. For professionals working part-time, say three days a week, this hourly rate translates into a viable income even outside of traditional full-time employment. Per-diem work is also common, with consulting firm offices and construction sites frequently offering roles that utilize software tools like CAD and Revit. The hourly range for civil engineers in Long Beach varies, from an entry-level rate of $33.08 to seasoned experts earning up to $83.37 for their specialized skills, illustrating both the entry points into the profession and the earning potential for advanced practitioners.
About the Long Beach 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) | $33.08 | $264.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.14 | $345.08 |
| Median (P50) | $53.78 | $430.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68.84 | $550.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83.37 | $666.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Long Beach
Based on $53.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $53.78/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Long Beach, CA can expect to earn approximately $111,858 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $64,534. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Long Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Long Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,151.12 | $9,322 | $111,858 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,290.67 | $5,593 | $67,115 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $860.45 | $3,729 | $44,743 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Long Beach) | $53.78 |
| 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 Long Beach, CA earn a median of $111,868 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.09% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 5.30% below the California state average of $118,129.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $53.78/hr = $67,115/year (purchasing power: $59,341).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $111,858/year (purchasing power: $98,902).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$45.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$52.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$53.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Long Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $71.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $52.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Long Beach grew 15.8% from $45.24/hr (2019) to $52.40/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $55.19/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 Long Beach 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 Long Beach
The earning potential for a civil engineer working part-time at 24 hours weekly could provide around $67,210 annually, allowing for a flexible work-life balance. Many civil engineers opt for per-diem roles, billing $100 to $180 per hour for contract projects. Particularly in specialized fields like structural engineering, rates can escalate; for example, forensic engineers acting as expert witnesses may charge between $250 and $500 per hour. Hourly variations also exist depending on employer types within Long Beach, spanning engineering consulting firms, Fortune 500 construction companies, and local government agencies. Often, civil engineers must weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly earnings without benefits against positions that provide health insurance but at lower rates. Navigating negotiations in this market can be complex; understanding the full compensation package, including benefits, is critical for long-term financial planning in one's engineering career.
More salary data for Long Beach, 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 Long Beach. 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 Long Beach 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