Civil Engineer Salary in Orange, CA: $116,384 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Orange, CA earns a median $116,384/year (≈ $55.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Orange's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $102,904 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Orange, California, can expect a median annual salary of $116,384, which reflects a competitive position compared to the national median of $103,492—this translates to an additional 12.46% in earnings for local professionals. Salary ranges for civil engineers in the area are quite broad, spanning from $77,690 at the 10th percentile to $180,396 at the 90th percentile. These estimates derive from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost-of-living variations, indicating a robust market for civil engineering talent in Orange. As the demand for infrastructure projects continues to grow, particularly under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, opportunities for both entry-level and experienced engineers are expected to rise significantly.
About the Orange Market
Salary estimated from California average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,690 | $37.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,316 | $42.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $116,384 | $55.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $148,973 | $71.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $180,396 | $86.73 |
Median Salary Position
12.46% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Orange
In Orange, CA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $102,706 (2026 est.). At $116,384, the local median is 12.46% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Orange: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Orange Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Orange median: $116,384/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Orange Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $118,157 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | +12.46% more |
Civil Engineers in Orange, CA earn a median of $116,384 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.46% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 1.50% below the California state average of $118,157.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Orange has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Orange, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $116,384 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $102,904 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$97,905
2025 BLS Actual
$113,402
2026 Current Est.
$116,384
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Orange (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,905 | Actual |
| 2020 | $99,603 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,019 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,144 | Actual |
| 2023 | $107,835 | Actual |
| 2024 | $139,265 | Actual |
| 2025 | $113,402 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,384 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,445 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Orange metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $97,905 (2019) to $113,402 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,445 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,540 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Orange 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) | $77,690 – $88,316 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,316 – $116,384 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $116,384 – $148,973 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $148,973 – $180,396 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Orange
With only 21 civil engineers currently employed in Orange, the job market is relatively niche, which could create advantageous conditions for professionals seeking employment. The area has a cost-of-living index of 113.1, suggesting that while salaries are higher than the national average, so are living expenses, affecting overall purchasing power. Major employers that contribute favorably to civil engineer pay in Orange include top-tier engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, as well as established construction giants like Bechtel and Fluor. Pay disparities in this sector are influenced by various factors, such as licensure status (the PE license particularly impacts salary ranges), expertise in specialized fields, and the tier of the hiring firm. Civil engineers looking to maximize their compensation should consider pursuing advanced credentials, gaining experience in sought-after specialties, and targeting projects funded by recent infrastructure spending initiatives.
More salary data for Orange, 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 $113,402 for civil engineersin the Orange 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 Orange 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