Civil Engineer Salary in Corona, CA: $120,403 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Corona, CA earns a median $120,403/year (≈ $57.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Corona's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $106,457 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Corona, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $120,403, reflecting a significant 16.34% higher rate compared to the national median of $103,492. The salary range in the area extends from $77,170 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $186,625 at the higher end (90th percentile). These figures, drawn from local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, highlight the competitive nature of the civil engineering field in Corona. With a mix of employment opportunities spanning consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, government roles within the Department of Transportation, and construction firms, the salary landscape here varies notably depending on the sector, with consulting positions often commanding higher pay.
About the Corona Market
Salary estimated from California average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,170 | $37.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,641 | $44.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $120,403 | $57.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $152,930 | $73.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,625 | $89.72 |
Median Salary Position
16.34% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Corona
In Corona, CA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,455 (2026 est.). At $120,403, the local median is 16.34% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Corona: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Corona Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Corona median: $120,403/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Corona Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $118,158 | +1.90% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +16.34% more |
Civil Engineers in Corona, CA earn a median of $120,403 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.34% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 1.90% above the California state average of $118,158.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Corona has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Corona, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $120,403 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $106,457 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,286
2025 BLS Actual
$117,318
2026 Current Est.
$120,403
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Corona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,286 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,043 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,438 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,637 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,559 | Actual |
| 2024 | $144,074 | Actual |
| 2025 | $117,318 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $120,403 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,570 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Corona metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $101,286 (2019) to $117,318 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,570 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,284 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Corona 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) | $77,170 – $91,641 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,641 – $120,403 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $120,403 – $152,930 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $152,930 – $186,625 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Corona
The job market for civil engineers in Corona is solid, with 24 professionals currently employed in the area, but the cost of living is something to consider, as the CoL index stands at 113.1, indicating higher living expenses than the national average. Top salaries can often be found in engineering consulting firms, which generally pay more than government roles; high-end firms such as WSP and HDR are particularly known for offering competitive compensation. Factors that contribute to the wide salary range include the level of education attained, whether a PE license is held, and specialization in fields like structural or geotechnical engineering. As infrastructure spending accelerates due to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, understanding how much civil engineers make in Corona means being strategic about career progression. For those looking to maximize pay, pursuing a license, seeking roles in larger firms, or taking on leadership positions can make a significant difference in earnings potential.
More salary data for Corona, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can civil engineers make $100K in Corona?
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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 $117,318 for civil engineersin the Corona 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 Corona 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