Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Pasadena, TX: $49.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Pasadena, TX runs $49.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,250 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Pasadena's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,351 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pasadena, TX, civil engineering professionals earn a median hourly rate of $49.16, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $49.76. This figure has significant implications for both part-time workers, who may choose to work three days a week, and per-diem employees often found in diverse settings such as consulting firms, government agencies, and construction sites. Those engaged in temporary or project-based roles can expect to see hourly earnings ranging from $33.71 for entry-level positions to $76.19 for highly experienced engineers. Given the significance of this hourly data, it is estimated from annual salary figures, reflecting the broader earning potential for civil engineers working in a variety of environments, whether they are managing infrastructure projects, creating designs using CAD or Revit, or conducting plan checks remotely.
About the Pasadena Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.71 | $269.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.05 | $312.41 |
| Median (P50) | $49.16 | $393.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.92 | $503.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76.19 | $609.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pasadena
Based on $49.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.16/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pasadena, TX can expect to earn approximately $102,252 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,992. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pasadena.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pasadena
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,966.39 | $8,521 | $102,252 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,179.83 | $5,113 | $61,351 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $786.56 | $3,408 | $40,901 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Pasadena) | $49.16 |
| 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 Pasadena, TX earn a median of $102,250 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.20% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 21.70% above the Texas state average of $84,018.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.16/hr = $61,351/year (purchasing power: $63,908).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,252/year (purchasing power: $106,513).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Pasadena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Pasadena grew 15.8% from $41.35/hr (2019) to $47.90/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.45/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 Pasadena 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 Pasadena
Examining the earning potential for a civil engineer working part-time in Pasadena reveals that a typical schedule of 24 hours per week can yield an annual income of approximately $49,380, contrasting with full-time earnings that exceed $102,250. For those operating on a per-diem basis, which typically applies to 1099 licensed civil engineers, the billing rates can be notably higher, ranging from $100 to $180 per hour. Additionally, specialized roles like structural or forensic engineers, particularly those serving as expert witnesses, can command fees of $250 to $500 per hour. Various employer types in Pasadena, such as large engineering firms like AECOM or state DOTs, influence pay scales, where lower hourly rates might come with benefits like health insurance. This dynamic creates a trade-off that professionals must consider carefully. For those negotiating their rates, understanding the market expectations and regional norms can provide leverage, especially as the demand for civil engineering services grows in response to federal infrastructure investments.
More salary data for Pasadena, TX:
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 Pasadena. 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 Pasadena 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