Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in San Mateo, CA: $57.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in San Mateo, CA runs $57.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $119,401 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against San Mateo's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $50.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $71,636 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In San Mateo, California, civil engineers earn a median hourly rate of $57.40, significantly above the national median of $49.76. This competitive pay level reflects the specialization and expertise required for such roles, dealing with tasks that typically occur in various professional environments such as consulting offices with advanced CAD, Revit, and AutoCAD workstations, as well as onsite at construction field offices and government DOT locations. For entry-level positions, hourly rates start at approximately $36.03, while experienced professionals can earn up to $88.98 per hour. This hourly range demonstrates the potential for civil engineers to find suitable roles whether they are looking for full-time opportunities or part-time work, which is common in the industry, especially among those balancing several responsibilities or pursuing contract work.
About the San Mateo 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) | $36.03 | $288.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.53 | $372.26 |
| Median (P50) | $57.40 | $459.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73.47 | $587.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88.98 | $711.84 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Mateo
Based on $57.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $57.40/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Mateo, CA can expect to earn approximately $119,394 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $68,881. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Mateo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Mateo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,296.04 | $9,949 | $119,394 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,377.62 | $5,970 | $71,636 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $918.42 | $3,980 | $47,758 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (San Mateo) | $57.40 |
| 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 Mateo, CA earn a median of $119,401 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.37% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 1.10% above the California state average of $118,102.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $57.40/hr = $71,636/year (purchasing power: $63,339).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $119,394/year (purchasing power: $105,565).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$48.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$55.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$57.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in San Mateo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $49.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $53.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $68.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $55.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in San Mateo grew 15.8% from $48.29/hr (2019) to $55.93/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $58.91/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 Mateo 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 Mateo
For those considering part-time roles, working three days a week, or 24 hours in total, a civil engineer's annual earnings may significantly differ from full-time colleagues. While the typical full-time position could yield upwards of $119,401 annually, part-time engineers have their earnings limited proportionally. Many civil engineers operate on a per-diem or contract basis, with compensation rates varying widely—per diem civil engineer pay in San Mateo can reach between $100 to $180 per hour for standard assignments, while specialized engineers might command $250 to $500 per hour for expert testimony. The diversity in employer types, including engineering consulting firms, Fortune 500 construction companies, and government agencies, creates variances in pay structures. Freelancers often trade higher hourly rates for the stability of benefits, making it important for engineers to negotiate effectively based on their individual circumstances. Understanding local market trends and the nuances of the civil engineer hourly rate in CA can provide advantages when discussing compensation packages.
More salary data for San Mateo, 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 Mateo. 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 Mateo 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