Civil Engineer Salary in Glendale, CA: $118,866 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Glendale, CA earns a median $118,866/year (≈ $57.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Glendale's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $105,098 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Glendale, California, civil engineers can expect a median annual salary of $118,866 in 2026. This figure is approximately 14.86% higher than the national average of $103,492, reflecting the local demand for engineering talent. The salary range highlights the progression opportunities in this field, with entry-level positions starting at $82,747 and highly experienced engineers earning up to $184,242. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, suggest that obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license can significantly elevate earning potential, underscoring the value of advancing from an engineering intern to a fully licensed civil engineer in Glendale's job market.
About the Glendale Market
Salary estimated from California average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,747 | $39.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,714 | $46.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $118,866 | $57.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $152,149 | $73.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $184,242 | $88.58 |
Median Salary Position
14.86% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Glendale
In Glendale, CA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $101,495 (2026 est.). At $118,866, the local median is 14.86% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Glendale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Glendale Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Glendale median: $118,866/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Glendale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $118,157 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +14.86% more |
Civil Engineers in Glendale, CA earn a median of $118,866 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.86% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 0.60% above the California state average of $118,157.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Glendale has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Glendale, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $118,866 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $105,098 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,993
2025 BLS Actual
$115,820
2026 Current Est.
$118,866
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Glendale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,993 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,727 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,301 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,135 | Actual |
| 2024 | $142,235 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118,866 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,992 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Glendale metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $99,993 (2019) to $115,820 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,992 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,999 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Glendale 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) | $82,747 – $95,714 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,714 – $118,866 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $118,866 – $152,149 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $152,149 – $184,242 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Glendale
With 36 civil engineers currently employed in the area, the job market shows robust opportunities despite a cost-of-living index of 113.1 that can impact take-home pay. Employers such as AECOM, Jacobs, and Bechtel dominate the high-paying segments, while state and local public works departments offer stable positions, albeit with potentially lower salaries. Factors driving salary disparities include the importance of a PE license, specialization in high-demand areas like structural or geotechnical engineering, and the type of firm—top consulting firms tend to offer more competitive pay than smaller entities or government roles. To maximize earnings, engineers in Glendale should consider pursuing advanced credentials, specializing in areas with a premium, and exploring opportunities within firms heavily invested in the ongoing infrastructure projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for Glendale, 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 $115,820 for civil engineersin the Glendale 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 Glendale 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