Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Mountain View, CA: $57.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Mountain View, CA runs $57.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $118,804 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Mountain View's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $50.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $71,278 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in Mountain View, California, earn a median hourly rate of $57.11, which exceeds the national hourly median of $49.76. This difference highlights the competitive nature of civil engineer hourly pay in Mountain View, reflecting the city's higher cost of living and demand for infrastructure expertise. For those considering part-time work, such as three days a week, this translates to an annualized approach of about 24 hours weekly. Entry-level engineers may expect to start at approximately $38.01 per hour (10th percentile), while top earners can command as much as $88.53 per hour (90th percentile). Given Mountain View's industry environment, civil engineers typically work in various settings, including consulting offices with advanced software like CAD and Revit, construction sites, government offices, or even in hybrid roles that allow for remote plan checking.
About the Mountain View 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) | $38.01 | $304.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.37 | $354.94 |
| Median (P50) | $57.11 | $456.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72.27 | $578.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88.53 | $708.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mountain View
Based on $57.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $57.11/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mountain View, CA can expect to earn approximately $118,796 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $68,536. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Mountain View.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mountain View
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,284.54 | $9,900 | $118,796 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,370.73 | $5,940 | $71,278 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $913.82 | $3,960 | $47,519 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Mountain View) | $57.11 |
| 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 Mountain View, CA earn a median of $118,804 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.80% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 0.60% above the California state average of $118,096.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $57.11/hr = $71,278/year (purchasing power: $63,022).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $118,796/year (purchasing power: $105,036).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$48.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$55.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$57.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Mountain View (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.05/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $68.35/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $55.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Mountain View grew 15.8% from $48.05/hr (2019) to $55.65/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $58.62/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 Mountain View 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 Mountain View
Evaluating the financial aspects reveals that a part-time civil engineer working 24 hours weekly would net around $67,189 a year, significantly lower than the earnings of full-time counterparts, but still substantial compared to many professions. In the realm of per diem civil engineer pay in Mountain View, professionals working on a contract basis can earn considerably more, often billing between $100 and $180 an hour, depending on expertise and project complexity. For specialized roles, like structural or forensic engineers, hourly rates may soar to $250 to $500. The varying rates across employer types—ranging from top consulting firms like AECOM to state agencies—also influence earning potential. Many engineers weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly rates without benefits versus lower pay with comprehensive health coverage. When negotiating rates, engineers should be prepared to articulate their unique skills and experience, emphasizing the added value they bring to specific projects or client needs in the area of Mountain View.
More salary data for Mountain View, 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 Mountain View. 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 Mountain View 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