Civil Engineer Salary in Anaheim, CA: $113,482 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Anaheim, CA earns a median $113,482/year (≈ $54.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Anaheim's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $100,338 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineer salaries in Anaheim, California are projected to reach a median of $113,482, reflecting a 9.65% increase over the national median of $103,492. The salary range for civil engineers in this area will stretch from $72,177 at the 10th percentile to as high as $175,898 for those at the 90th percentile. These estimates are informed by the 2025 BLS OEWS data, accounting for local economic conditions and regional price adjustments. Employment opportunities exist across various sectors, notably among firms like AECOM and Jacobs, government roles with the state DOT, and prominent construction companies, revealing a diverse market landscape that caters to different professional preferences and qualifications.
About the Anaheim Market
Salary estimated from California average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,177 | $34.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,300 | $41.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $113,482 | $54.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145,257 | $69.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175,898 | $84.57 |
Median Salary Position
9.65% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Anaheim
In Anaheim, CA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $103,721 (2026 est.). At $113,482, the local median is 9.65% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Anaheim: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Anaheim Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Anaheim median: $113,482/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Anaheim Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $118,088 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | +9.65% more |
Civil Engineers in Anaheim, CA earn a median of $113,482 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.65% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 3.90% below the California state average of $118,088.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Anaheim has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Anaheim, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $113,482 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $100,338 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,464
2025 BLS Actual
$110,574
2026 Current Est.
$113,482
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Anaheim (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,464 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,120 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,549 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,622 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,146 | Actual |
| 2024 | $151,086 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,574 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $113,482 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $116,467 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Anaheim metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $95,464 (2019) to $110,574 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $116,467 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,003 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Anaheim 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $72,177 – $86,300 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,300 – $113,482 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $113,482 – $145,257 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $145,257 – $175,898 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Anaheim
With 51 civil engineers currently employed in Anaheim, the job market demonstrates a healthy demand for engineering talent, although the cost of living index sits at 113.1, indicating that salaries must stretch further. The disparity in civil engineer pay in Anaheim can be attributed to factors such as the necessity of a PE license for higher-level positions, and the specialization within fields like structural or geotechnical engineering, which can command a premium. Larger firms often offer more competitive salaries than government roles, while local developers and specialty consultants typically provide diverse project opportunities. Given the infrastructure spending boom driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, those pursuing roles in high-demand areas and acquiring relevant certifications can significantly enhance their earning potential in the Anaheim CA market.
More salary data for Anaheim, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $110,574 for civil engineersin the Anaheim metropolitan area. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Anaheim 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