Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in San Leandro, CA: $55.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in San Leandro, CA runs $55.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $116,129 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against San Leandro's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $69,677 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In San Leandro, California, civil engineer hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $55.83 in 2026, surpassing the national hourly median of $49.76 by approximately 12.21%. This favorable rate allows for attractive opportunities for both part-time engineers working three days a week and per-diem professionals. Many civil engineers can expect to spend their time in various settings, including consulting firms equipped with CAD workstations, remote plan-checking environments, and bustling construction site field offices. The hourly range in San Leandro varies significantly, starting at around $39.52 for entry-level positions and climbing to approximately $86.54 for top earners, reflecting the profession's diversity and demand in this California market. These estimates are derived from BLS annual salary data, enabling prospective civil engineers to understand the financial landscape in their field.
About the San Leandro 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) | $39.52 | $316.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.19 | $361.50 |
| Median (P50) | $55.83 | $446.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70.37 | $562.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86.54 | $692.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Leandro
Based on $55.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $55.83/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Leandro, CA can expect to earn approximately $116,128 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $66,997. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Leandro.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Leandro
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,233.23 | $9,677 | $116,128 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,339.94 | $5,806 | $69,677 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $893.29 | $3,871 | $46,451 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (San Leandro) | $55.83 |
| 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 San Leandro, CA earn a median of $116,129 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.21% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 1.70% below the California state average of $118,137.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $55.83/hr = $69,677/year (purchasing power: $61,606).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $116,128/year (purchasing power: $102,677).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$46.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$54.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$55.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in San Leandro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $66.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $54.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in San Leandro grew 15.8% from $46.97/hr (2019) to $54.40/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $57.30/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 San Leandro 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 San Leandro
Examining part-time earning potential reveals considerable differences in take-home pay when comparing a civil engineer's financial profile working 24 hours a week to that of one devoted to full time. Those specializing in per-diem work may charge rates ranging from $100 to $180 per hour, with seasoned professionals in structural or forensic engineering often commanding up to $500 per hour as expert witnesses. This variation is influenced by the type of employer, as established engineering consulting firms like AECOM or Jacobs and government agencies may offer different compensation and benefits structures. Engineers often face the decision of accepting a lower hourly pay for the security of health benefits or pursuing higher freelance rates with less stability. Negotiation tactics play a significant role in securing favorable pay, especially for those in San Leandro. Understanding the nuances of local market rates and the specific competitive landscape, along with robust industry credentials like the PE license, positions engineers to advocate effectively for their value in different employment settings.
More salary data for San Leandro, 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 San Leandro. 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 San Leandro 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