Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Los Angeles, CA: $53.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Los Angeles, CA runs $53.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $111,497 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Los Angeles's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.6, 14% above national), each hour of work buys what $47.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $66,897 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Los Angeles, CA, the civil engineer hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $53.60 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national median of $49.76. This robust hourly rate significantly enhances the earning potential for part-time workers in the field. For a civil engineer working three days a week, totaling around 24 hours, this translates to a comfortable income, particularly as they navigate tasks in environments such as consulting firm offices or construction site field offices. With an hourly range extending from $35.95 for entry-level positions up to $84.21 for top earners, this data, derived from the latest BLS figures, reflects the varied compensation landscape for civil engineers across different job roles and expertise within Los Angeles.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.95 | $287.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.69 | $333.51 |
| Median (P50) | $53.60 | $428.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69.85 | $558.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84.21 | $673.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Los Angeles
Based on $53.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $53.60/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Los Angeles, CA can expect to earn approximately $111,496 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $64,324. With a cost-of-living index of 113.57 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Los Angeles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Los Angeles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,144.15 | $9,291 | $111,496 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,286.49 | $5,575 | $66,897 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $857.66 | $3,717 | $44,598 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Los Angeles) | $53.60 |
| 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 Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $111,497 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.73% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 5.60% below the California state average of $118,111.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $53.60/hr = $66,897/year (purchasing power: $58,906).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $111,496/year (purchasing power: $98,177).
CoL index: 113.566 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$51.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$52.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$53.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+6.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $52.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Los Angeles grew 1.4% from $51.49/hr (2019) to $52.23/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $55.01/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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles
Analysts observe a broad spectrum of earning potential for civil engineers based on employment type. A part-time engineer working those 24 hours a week could take home around $67,000 annually, allowing for a flexible lifestyle in a city known for its high cost of living. Conversely, per diem civil engineers in Los Angeles often command billing rates between $100 and $180 per hour, especially as they take on contract roles or specialized projects. Established professionals in niche areas like forensic engineering or geotechnical consulting can see their rates climb even higher, frequently reaching $250 to $500 per hour as they offer expert insights in legal contexts. Hourly compensation varies significantly based on employer type, with large engineering consulting firms, construction companies, and government agencies each presenting unique compensation models. Many professionals face the decision of accepting lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits or pursuing higher pay rates without them. For those entering the field, negotiating their civil engineer hourly rate CA requires understanding local market rates and the intricacies of contractor versus full-time positions.
More salary data for Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles. 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