Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Mission Viejo, CA: $57.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Mission Viejo, CA runs $57.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $119,245 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Mission Viejo's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $50.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $71,547 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in Mission Viejo, California, earn a median hourly rate of $57.33, significantly higher than the national average of $49.76. This rate benefits both full-time professionals and those working part-time or as per-diem employees. For instance, a civil engineer working three days a week could expect to earn approximately $4,360 monthly based on this hourly rate, allowing for a decent income while maintaining flexible working hours. The hourly pay ranges from $38.50 for entry-level positions to $88.86 for top earners, reflecting diverse opportunities in various settings, including consulting firms and construction sites. These estimates are derived from projected annual salary data, indicating a competitive wage for civil engineers in this Southern California locale.
About the Mission Viejo 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) | $38.50 | $307.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.79 | $358.30 |
| Median (P50) | $57.33 | $458.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72.80 | $582.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88.86 | $710.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mission Viejo
Based on $57.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $57.33/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mission Viejo, CA can expect to earn approximately $119,245 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $68,795. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Mission Viejo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mission Viejo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,293.16 | $9,937 | $119,245 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,375.90 | $5,962 | $71,547 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $917.27 | $3,975 | $47,698 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Mission Viejo) | $57.33 |
| 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 Mission Viejo, CA earn a median of $119,245 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.22% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 0.90% above the California state average of $118,181.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $57.33/hr = $71,547/year (purchasing power: $63,260).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $119,245/year (purchasing power: $105,433).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$48.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$55.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$57.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Mission Viejo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $49.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $53.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $68.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $55.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Mission Viejo grew 15.8% from $48.23/hr (2019) to $55.86/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $58.84/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 Mission Viejo 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 Mission Viejo
In terms of part-time work, a civil engineer in Mission Viejo putting in 24 hours weekly would see a substantial yearly income—about $66,840—compared to those working full-time. Per-diem civil engineers can command rates that vary significantly based on experience and specialization, with commonly billed amounts ranging from $100 to $180 per hour. Engaging with specialized services, such as forensic engineering or geotechnical consulting, could yield rates between $150 and $250. Each employer type also offers a different pay scale, whether it’s top engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs or governmental entities like state DOTs. Civil engineers face the choice of accepting lower hourly rates for positions with healthcare benefits or pursuing higher wages that may come without such security. When negotiating hourly pay, it’s vital to highlight any specialized credentials or experience that can influence potential employers in Mission Viejo's competitive market.
More salary data for Mission Viejo, 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 Mission Viejo. 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 Mission Viejo 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