Civil Engineer Salary in Chino Hills, CA: $118,365 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Chino Hills, CA earns a median $118,365/year (≈ $56.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Chino Hills's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $104,655 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
A civil engineer in Chino Hills, California, can expect a median annual salary of $118,365 in 2026, which outpaces the national median of $103,492 by 14.37%. The salary range for civil engineers in this city stretches from $77,940 at the 10th percentile to $183,467 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the potential for significant earnings based on experience and specialization. These figures are estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price differences, reflecting the local demand and cost of living. As infrastructure projects expand due to initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, civil engineers in Chino Hills may find more lucrative opportunities available thanks to the area's growing need for skilled professionals.
About the Chino Hills Market
Salary estimated from California average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,940 | $37.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,406 | $43.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $118,365 | $56.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,508 | $72.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $183,467 | $88.20 |
Median Salary Position
14.37% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chino Hills
In Chino Hills, CA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $105,527 (2026 est.). At $118,365, the local median is 14.37% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chino Hills: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chino Hills Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Chino Hills median: $118,365/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chino Hills Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $118,129 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +14.37% more |
Civil Engineers in Chino Hills, CA earn a median of $118,365 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.37% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 0.20% above the California state average of $118,129.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chino Hills has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chino Hills, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $118,365 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $104,655 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,572
2025 BLS Actual
$115,332
2026 Current Est.
$118,365
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Chino Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,572 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,299 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,704 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,866 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,671 | Actual |
| 2024 | $141,635 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,332 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118,365 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,478 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chino Hills metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $99,572 (2019) to $115,332 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,478 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,906 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chino Hills 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) | $77,940 – $91,406 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,406 – $118,365 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $118,365 – $151,508 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,508 – $183,467 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Chino Hills
In terms of job market dynamics, Chino Hills currently employs 21 civil engineers, highlighting a niche but stable employment landscape. The cost of living index for the area sits at 113.1, indicating that while salaries are competitive, take-home pay may not stretch as far as it would elsewhere nationally. The most lucrative positions are often found within top-tier consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, which typically offer higher salaries compared to mid-tier firms or government roles. Earnings tend to vary widely based on factors such as PE licensure, specialization in high-demand fields like structural engineering, and the tier of the employing firm. For civil engineers aiming to maximize their pay in Chino Hills, pursuing advanced credentials and targeting firms involved in large infrastructure projects will be essential in tapping into the more profitable segments of the market.
More salary data for Chino Hills, 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 $115,332 for civil engineersin the Chino Hills 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 Chino Hills 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