Civil Engineer Salary in La Habra, CA: $114,089 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in La Habra, CA earns a median $114,089/year (≈ $54.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in La Habra's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $100,874 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In La Habra, California, the projected civil engineer salary in 2026 is anticipated to reach $114,089 annually, marking a significant above-average earning potential compared to the national median of $103,492. This favorable local salary is reflected in a broad range of compensation, spanning from $77,578 at the lower end (P10) to a high of $176,838 (P90). These figures stem from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations. The city's job market is positively influenced by the ongoing infrastructure initiatives under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which have amplified demand for skilled engineers in various sectors.
About the La Habra Market
Salary estimated from California average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,578 | $37.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,944 | $43.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $114,089 | $54.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,033 | $70.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $176,838 | $85.02 |
Median Salary Position
10.24% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Habra
In La Habra, CA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $99,260 (2026 est.). At $114,089, the local median is 10.24% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in La Habra: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How La Habra Civil Engineer Pay Compares
La Habra median: $114,089/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Habra Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $118,104 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | +10.24% more |
Civil Engineers in La Habra, CA earn a median of $114,089 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.24% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 3.40% below the California state average of $118,104.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
La Habra has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
La Habra, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $114,089 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $100,874 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,974
2025 BLS Actual
$111,165
2026 Current Est.
$114,089
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in La Habra (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,974 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,639 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,065 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,149 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,708 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,518 | Actual |
| 2025 | $111,165 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $114,089 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $117,089 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Habra metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $95,974 (2019) to $111,165 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $117,089 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,115 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Habra 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) | $77,578 – $89,944 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,944 – $114,089 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $114,089 – $146,033 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,033 – $176,838 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in La Habra
Currently, 16 civil engineers are employed in La Habra, contributing to a localized job market that faces a cost of living index of 113.1, denoting higher-than-average living expenses. This cost of living can significantly impact take-home pay and purchasing power for residents. Top employers in the area, including engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, tend to offer higher salaries, particularly for positions that require specialized expertise, such as those demanding a PE license. The discrepancy in civil engineer pay in La Habra, CA, stems from multiple factors, including the type of employer, the complexity of projects, and individual qualifications. Engineers can maximize their pay by obtaining a PE license, expanding their technical skills, and considering opportunities in high-demand sectors influenced by recent infrastructure funding. The varied pathways into roles define the local market, which is ripe with potential for skilled engineers eager to optimize their earnings.
More salary data for La Habra, 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 $111,165 for civil engineersin the La Habra 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 La Habra 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