Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Newport Beach, CA: $55.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Newport Beach, CA runs $55.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $115,577 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Newport Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $69,344 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median hourly rate of $55.56, civil engineers in Newport Beach, CA, earn significantly more than the national hourly median of $49.76. This premium compensates for the higher cost of living in the area, which sits at a cost of living index of 113.1. For part-time engineers working three days a week, the potential earnings can vary widely, conforming to the hourly range from entry-level positions at approximately $38.97 to seasoned professionals commanding up to $86.13. Such an hourly structure allows flexibility for those involved in consulting activities, where typical environments include offices outfitted with CAD, Revit, or AutoCAD systems, along with field offices in construction sites or government departments. This setup remains conducive to project-based roles or temporary assignments, and the hourly figures are estimated based on annual salary data.
About the Newport 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) | $38.97 | $311.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.65 | $357.23 |
| Median (P50) | $55.56 | $444.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71.12 | $568.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.13 | $689.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Newport Beach
Based on $55.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $55.56/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Newport Beach, CA can expect to earn approximately $115,573 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $66,677. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Newport Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Newport Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,222.56 | $9,631 | $115,573 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,333.53 | $5,779 | $69,344 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $889.02 | $3,852 | $46,229 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Newport Beach) | $55.56 |
| 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 Newport Beach, CA earn a median of $115,577 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.68% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 2.20% below the California state average of $118,177.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $55.56/hr = $69,344/year (purchasing power: $61,312).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $115,573/year (purchasing power: $102,186).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$46.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$54.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$55.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Newport Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $66.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $54.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Newport Beach grew 15.8% from $46.74/hr (2019) to $54.14/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $57.03/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 Newport 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 Newport Beach
For a civil engineer working part-time at 24 hours per week, annual earnings will differ appreciably compared to full-time counterparts. While a full-time salary would be projected around $115,577, a part-time engineer could take home approximately $43,598, significantly impacting lifestyle choices. The per-diem civil engineer pay in Newport Beach varies, with many professionals billing anywhere from $100 to $180 per hour, depending on their expertise and the specific needs of clients. Those with specialties in fields such as forensic engineering may charge even higher rates, with some billing $250 to $500 per hour for expert witness services. Distinctly, hourly pay can also fluctuate across various employers — consulting firms like AECOM or Jacobs may offer different rates compared to larger construction companies or local government agencies. Moreover, many engineers might face the choice of higher hourly wages without benefits versus lower rates that offer health insurance packages. For effective negotiation, engineers in Newport Beach should assess their skill set and the current demand for specialties, guiding their discussions regarding pay to ensure fair compensation.
More salary data for Newport 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 Newport 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 Newport 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