Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Sacramento, CA: $64.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Sacramento, CA runs $64.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $133,573 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Sacramento's regional price level (BEA RPP 106.7, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $60.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,141 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Civil engineering professionals in Sacramento, California, earn a median hourly rate of $64.22, a significant increase compared to the national median of $49.76. This elevated pay reflects the strong demand for civil engineers that has surged due to infrastructure investment like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. For part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, this hourly rate can translate into a commendable income, while per-diem roles often require flexibility and adaptability in various work environments. Civil engineers can expect to earn between $40.30 at the entry-level to $86.81 per hour as they advance in their careers, often working in multi-disciplinary settings like consulting firm offices equipped with tools like AutoCAD or on-site at construction projects. This data, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, clearly indicates the potential for lucrative opportunities for civil engineers in Sacramento.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.30 | $322.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.48 | $395.82 |
| Median (P50) | $64.22 | $513.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.64 | $629.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.81 | $694.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sacramento
Based on $64.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.22/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sacramento, CA can expect to earn approximately $133,568 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,059. With a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Sacramento.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sacramento
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,568.62 | $11,131 | $133,568 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,541.17 | $6,678 | $80,141 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,027.45 | $4,452 | $53,427 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Sacramento) | $64.22 |
| 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 Sacramento, CA earn a median of $133,573 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.07% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 13.10% above the California state average of $118,102.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.22/hr = $80,141/year (purchasing power: $75,130).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $133,568/year (purchasing power: $125,216).
CoL index: 106.67 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$58.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+13.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $59.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $62.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Sacramento grew 7.5% from $58.20/hr (2019) to $62.57/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.90/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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento
Part-time civil engineers in Sacramento working 24 hours a week can earn a substantial income, amounting to around $80,000 annually, a figure that reflects their hourly pay rates while enjoying a better work-life balance compared to full-time counterparts. Furthermore, per diem civil engineer pay in Sacramento can range dramatically, with contractors and agency professionals billing between $100 and $180 per hour, depending on their experience and specialty. For seasoned experts, particularly those engaged in structural or forensic engineering roles, the hourly billing rate can soar to between $250 and $500. Hourly rates also vary depending on the type of employer; those working with major engineering consulting firms or large construction companies may find themselves at an advantage compared to roles in smaller firms or public agencies. Negotiating hourly rates can be pivotal for engineers in Sacramento—many must weigh the benefits of health insurance and long-term stability against the potential for higher pay without benefits. Being informed about current market trends and employer demands can greatly enhance success during salary negotiations.
More salary data for Sacramento, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for civil engineers in Sacramento in 2026?
How much do part-time civil engineers make in Sacramento?
Are civil engineers in Sacramento paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time civil engineer make per year in Sacramento?
Do civil engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Sacramento?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 Sacramento. 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