Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in San Rafael, CA: $57.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in San Rafael, CA runs $57.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $119,872 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against San Rafael's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $50.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $71,918 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In San Rafael, California, civil engineers earn a median hourly rate of $57.63, reflecting a competitive edge over the national median of $49.76. This rate provides substantial opportunities for both part-time and per-diem workers, especially those engaged in typical settings like consulting firm offices using CAD and Revit software, construction site field offices, and government DOT facilities. The hourly pay can range from $39.13 at the entry-level to a notable $89.33 for top earners. With such versatility, civil engineers can negotiate their compensation based on their experience and preferred work environment, making the hourly model attractive for those not seeking full-time commitment while still allowing them to thrive within the industry.
About the San Rafael 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) | $39.13 | $313.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.39 | $363.15 |
| Median (P50) | $57.63 | $461.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73.58 | $588.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89.33 | $714.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Rafael
Based on $57.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $57.63/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Rafael, CA can expect to earn approximately $119,864 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $69,152. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Rafael.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Rafael
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,305.07 | $9,989 | $119,864 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,383.04 | $5,993 | $71,918 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $922.03 | $3,995 | $47,945 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (San Rafael) | $57.63 |
| 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 Rafael, CA earn a median of $119,872 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.83% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 1.50% above the California state average of $118,100.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $57.63/hr = $71,918/year (purchasing power: $63,588).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $119,864/year (purchasing power: $105,980).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$48.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$56.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$57.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in San Rafael (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $49.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.08/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $53.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $68.96/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $56.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in San Rafael grew 15.8% from $48.48/hr (2019) to $56.15/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $59.14/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 Rafael 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 Rafael
For a civil engineer working part-time three days a week, totaling 24 hours, the earning potential translates to just over $72,000, considerably less than if they worked full-time, but still competitive given their flexibility. Per-diem civil engineer pay in San Rafael often ranges quite broadly, as independent contractors and agency engineers can bill anywhere from $100 to $180 an hour. Specialized roles, such as experienced structural engineers who serve as expert witnesses, may command rates between $250 and $500 per hour. Salaries can significantly vary depending on the employer type; large engineering firms, government agencies, and private developers all offer different structures and benefits. While lower hourly rates might seem less appealing, they often come bundled with essential benefits like health insurance that many independent contractors lack. Civil engineers should strategically negotiate these terms in San Rafael’s local market, especially considering the ongoing infrastructure investments under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which may affect demand for skilled engineers and ultimately their compensation.
More salary data for San Rafael, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for civil engineers in San Rafael in 2026?
How much do part-time civil engineers make in San Rafael?
Are civil engineers in San Rafael paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time civil engineer make per year in San Rafael?
Do civil engineers earn more per hour working part-time in San Rafael?
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 San Rafael. 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 Rafael 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