Civil Engineer Salary in Huntington Beach, CA: $118,560 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Huntington Beach, CA earns a median $118,560/year (≈ $57.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Huntington Beach's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $104,828 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the civil engineer salary in Huntington Beach is projected to reach a median of $118,560 annually, reflecting a growth in compensation that outpaces the national median of $103,492 by over 14%. Competitive salaries in this region range from $82,415 at the 10th percentile to as much as $183,768 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a diverse market that tailors compensation to experience and specialization. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, signal a robust job market bolstered by significant infrastructure investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). As local municipalities and private sectors ramp up projects, demand for skilled civil engineers is set to rise, making Huntington Beach an attractive location for professionals in this field.
About the Huntington Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,415 | $39.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,106 | $45.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $118,560 | $57.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,036 | $72.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $183,768 | $88.35 |
Median Salary Position
14.56% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Huntington Beach
In Huntington Beach, CA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $101,353 (2026 est.). At $118,560, the local median is 14.56% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Huntington Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Huntington Beach Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Huntington Beach median: $118,560/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Huntington Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $118,206 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +14.56% more |
Civil Engineers in Huntington Beach, CA earn a median of $118,560 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.56% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 0.30% above the California state average of $118,206.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Huntington Beach has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Huntington Beach, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $118,560 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $104,828 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,736
2025 BLS Actual
$115,522
2026 Current Est.
$118,560
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Huntington Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,736 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,466 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,035 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,851 | Actual |
| 2024 | $141,869 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,522 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118,560 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,678 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Huntington Beach metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $99,736 (2019) to $115,522 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,678 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,942 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Huntington Beach 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) | $82,415 – $95,106 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,106 – $118,560 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $118,560 – $151,036 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,036 – $183,768 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Huntington Beach
With 50 civil engineers currently employed in the area, Huntington Beach's job market presents a solid foundation for growth. However, living in a region with a cost of living index of 113.1 adds complexity to take-home pay. The highest salaries are typically offered by engineering consulting firms such as AECOM and Jacobs, while construction giants like Bechtel and Fluor also explore opportunities in this vibrant community. Factors influencing pay disparities include the necessity for a PE license for higher-level roles, specialization in structural or geotechnical engineering, and the tier of the firm, with top-tier consultancies offering more competitive packages than mid-tier or governmental positions. Civil engineers can maximize their earnings by obtaining relevant certifications, prioritizing work at larger firms, and seeking positions that leverage infrastructure spending, positioning themselves effectively within Huntington Beach’s dynamic employment market.
More salary data for Huntington Beach, 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 $115,522 for civil engineersin the Huntington Beach 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 Huntington Beach 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