Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Pasadena, CA: $57.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Pasadena, CA runs $57.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $119,057 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Pasadena's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $50.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $71,431 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pasadena, California, civil engineers earn a median hourly pay of $57.24, significantly higher than the national median of $49.76. This attractive hourly rate benefits both full-time and part-time professionals who may work in diverse environments, such as consulting firms with sophisticated CAD and Revit workstations, construction sites, and government offices. For those employed on a part-time basis, such as three days a week, the hourly wages translate into a solid income, while per-diem workers can also find lucrative opportunities in varied settings. The hourly pay for civil engineers in Pasadena ranges from $38.58 at entry-level positions to as high as $88.72 for top earners, reflecting the diversity of expertise and experience needed in the field.
About the Pasadena 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) | $38.58 | $308.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.96 | $359.70 |
| Median (P50) | $57.24 | $457.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73.27 | $586.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88.72 | $709.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pasadena
Based on $57.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $57.24/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pasadena, CA can expect to earn approximately $119,052 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $68,684. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Pasadena.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pasadena
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,289.47 | $9,921 | $119,052 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,373.68 | $5,953 | $71,431 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $915.79 | $3,968 | $47,621 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Pasadena) | $57.24 |
| 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 Pasadena, CA earn a median of $119,057 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.04% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 0.80% above the California state average of $118,112.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $57.24/hr = $71,431/year (purchasing power: $63,158).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $119,052/year (purchasing power: $105,263).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$48.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$55.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$57.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Pasadena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $53.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $68.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $55.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Pasadena grew 15.8% from $48.15/hr (2019) to $55.77/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $58.74/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 Pasadena 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 Pasadena
When considering part-time work, a civil engineer putting in 24 hours a week has the potential to earn a competitive income compared to full-time salaries. Many civil engineers operating on a per-diem basis in Pasadena, especially those with a Professional Engineer (PE) license, might command billing rates between $100 and $180 per hour, with specialized experts in fields like structural or forensic engineering earning even more, often $250 to $500 per hour. Hourly rates can vary distinctly across different employer types, including top engineering firms like AECOM and Jacobs, federal agencies, and local public works departments. While some may accept lower hourly rates for positions that offer benefits, others might prefer the flexibility and higher pay of contract work. For those negotiating rates, understanding the specific needs of the Pasadena market and being clear about skill sets and prior experience can leverage better compensation for civil engineer hourly pay in CA.
More salary data for Pasadena, 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 Pasadena. 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 Pasadena 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