Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Santa Maria, CA: $59.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Santa Maria, CA runs $59.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $123,135 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Santa Maria's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.8, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $54.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $73,878 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Civil engineers in Santa Maria, California can anticipate a median hourly pay of $59.20 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $49.76. This hourly rate makes civil engineering an attractive profession for part-time workers or those pursuing per-diem opportunities. Typically, a three-day work week could yield around $4,098 monthly based on this hourly rate, providing a reasonable income potential for engineers balancing multiple commitments. Opportunities abound in both office environments, such as consulting firms using CAD or Revit, and on construction sites. The hourly pay for entry-level positions starts at $38.77, while experienced civil engineers can earn up to $84.39, illustrating a diverse range of compensation that reflects an engineer's expertise and responsibilities.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.77 | $310.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.58 | $372.67 |
| Median (P50) | $59.20 | $473.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74.67 | $597.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84.39 | $675.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Maria
Based on $59.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $59.20/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Maria, CA can expect to earn approximately $123,130 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $71,036. With a cost-of-living index of 108.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Maria.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Maria
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,367.88 | $10,261 | $123,130 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,420.73 | $6,156 | $73,878 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $947.15 | $4,104 | $49,252 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Santa Maria) | $59.20 |
| 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 Santa Maria, CA earn a median of $123,135 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.98% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 4.20% above the California state average of $118,172.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $59.20/hr = $73,878/year (purchasing power: $67,904).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $123,130/year (purchasing power: $113,173).
CoL index: 108.798 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$54.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$59.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+12.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Santa Maria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.67/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Santa Maria grew 6.7% from $54.04/hr (2019) to $57.68/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $60.75/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 Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria
For part-time civil engineers, working approximately 24 hours a week translates to an annual income of about $51,936 when calculated at the established hourly rate. Exploring per-diem roles, civil engineers often find that agency or contract work can yield significantly higher billing rates, typically ranging from $100 to $180 per hour for regular tasks, with specialized areas like forensic engineering commanding rates as high as $250 to $500 per hour. The type of employer plays a substantial role in determining pay rates in Santa Maria. Engineering consulting firms and Fortune 500 construction companies tend to offer competitive compensation, while state and federal agencies may provide benefits that justify lower hourly wages. Civil engineers must weigh these options thoughtfully. During salary negotiations, those in Santa Maria should emphasize their PE licenses and project experience to improve their leverage in compensation discussions.
More salary data for Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria. 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