Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Rancho Cordova, CA: $56.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Rancho Cordova, CA runs $56.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $117,177 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Rancho Cordova's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.81 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $70,304 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rancho Cordova, civil engineers enjoy a median hourly pay of $56.33, significantly above the national median of $49.76. This higher compensation reflects both the local demand for engineers and the increasing cost of living in California. For those working part-time—let's say three days a week—this translates to substantial weekly earnings, especially when compared to typical hourly roles. Civil engineers often operate within well-equipped environments such as consulting firm offices, construction site field offices, government DOT offices, and remote setups. The hourly wage can vary significantly, with entry-level positions starting at $36.24 while seasoned professionals can earn up to $87.32 per hour, illustrating the diverse opportunities available within the field.
About the Rancho Cordova 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) | $36.24 | $289.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.19 | $369.55 |
| Median (P50) | $56.33 | $450.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71.66 | $573.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87.32 | $698.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rancho Cordova
Based on $56.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $56.33/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rancho Cordova, CA can expect to earn approximately $117,174 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $67,600. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Rancho Cordova.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rancho Cordova
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,253.34 | $9,764 | $117,174 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,352.01 | $5,859 | $70,304 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $901.34 | $3,906 | $46,870 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Rancho Cordova) | $56.33 |
| 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 Rancho Cordova, CA earn a median of $117,177 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.22% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 0.80% below the California state average of $118,122.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $56.33/hr = $70,304/year (purchasing power: $62,161).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $117,174/year (purchasing power: $103,602).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$47.39/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$54.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$56.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Rancho Cordova (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.39/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $67.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $54.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Rancho Cordova grew 15.8% from $47.39/hr (2019) to $54.89/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $57.82/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 Rancho Cordova 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 Rancho Cordova
When considering part-time options, a civil engineer working a 24-hour week can take home a significant income, accumulating over $70,000 annually versus full-time earnings. For those looking to maximize earnings, per-diem arrangements can lead to even more lucrative opportunities, with 1099-licensed engineers in Rancho Cordova billing between $100 to $180 hourly for their services. Additionally, niche experts, such as structural or forensic engineers engaged in litigation, can command rates upwards of $250 per hour. Compensation may also fluctuate based on the employer type; consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs generally offer competitive pay, while state DOTs might provide more stable but lower rates, reflecting their commitments to benefits like health insurance. Negotiation skills are critical, especially for those considering freelance roles or per-diem work, as establishing fair rates can significantly impact long-term income stability in this dynamically evolving sector.
More salary data for Rancho Cordova, 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 Rancho Cordova. 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 Rancho Cordova 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