Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Riverside, CA: $56.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Riverside, CA runs $56.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $118,148 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Riverside's regional price level (BEA RPP 106.4, 6% above national), each hour of work buys what $53.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $70,894 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Riverside, California, civil engineers earn a median hourly pay of $56.81, significantly exceeding the national hourly median of $49.76. This competitive pay reflects the growing demand for civil engineers in both consulting firms and government offices, where they use advanced software like CAD and Revit. For part-time professionals working three days a week, the prospect of earning over $1,100 weekly translates to attractive annual totals, making this a viable option for those seeking flexibility. The hourly rate for civil engineers in Riverside tends to range from $37.20 at entry-level positions to as high as $83.29 for those at the top of their field, providing diverse opportunities for both seasoned professionals and newcomers.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.20 | $297.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.37 | $346.97 |
| Median (P50) | $56.81 | $454.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.50 | $540.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83.29 | $666.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Riverside
Based on $56.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $56.81/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Riverside, CA can expect to earn approximately $118,156 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $68,167. With a cost-of-living index of 106.44 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Riverside.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Riverside
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,272.23 | $9,846 | $118,156 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,363.34 | $5,908 | $70,894 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $908.89 | $3,939 | $47,262 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Riverside) | $56.81 |
| 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 Riverside, CA earn a median of $118,148 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.16% higher than the national median of $103,492.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $56.81/hr = $70,894/year (purchasing power: $66,603).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $118,156/year (purchasing power: $111,005).
CoL index: 106.442 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$51.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$55.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$56.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+13.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Riverside (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $52.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $55.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Riverside grew 7.5% from $51.49/hr (2019) to $55.35/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $58.30/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 Riverside 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 Riverside
Exploring the earning potential of civil engineers indicates that a part-time schedule of 24 hours a week can net approximately $74,880 annually, a respectable sum that allows for a comfortable lifestyle in Riverside, albeit with fewer benefits compared to full-time employment. Many engineers also consider per-diem arrangements typical in the industry, where 1099 civil engineers can charge between $100 and $180 per hour, while those with specialized skills might command even higher rates as expert witnesses or consultants. The variability in hourly rates arises from employer type; engineering consulting firms and large construction companies often have distinct pay scales compared to government entities and public works departments. Some civil engineers consciously choose lower pay for the stability of health benefits, while others may prefer higher hourly rates devoid of such perks. When negotiating hourly pay, it can be advantageous to highlight your specialized skills and to consider current demand in Riverside, especially in light of infrastructure development driven by recent legislation.
More salary data for Riverside, 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 Riverside. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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