Civil Engineer Salary in Tustin, CA: $118,029 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Tustin, CA earns a median $118,029/year (≈ $56.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Tustin's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $104,358 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tustin, California, the projected civil engineer salary for 2026 is $118,029 annually, representing a 14.05% increase from the national median of $103,492. This salary range varies significantly, from $76,812 at the 10th percentile to $182,944 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse roles available in the region's civil engineering sector. The market is shaped not only by top-tier consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, which tend to offer higher salaries, but also by government agencies such as the California Department of Transportation (DOT) and construction companies that contribute to public infrastructure projects. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for professionals seeking to enhance their compensation in Tustin's competitive job market.
About the Tustin Market
Salary estimated from California average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,812 | $36.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,738 | $43.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $118,029 | $56.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $150,986 | $72.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $182,944 | $87.95 |
Median Salary Position
14.05% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tustin
In Tustin, CA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $106,132 (2026 est.). At $118,029, the local median is 14.05% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tustin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tustin Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Tustin median: $118,029/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tustin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $118,147 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | +14.05% more |
Civil Engineers in Tustin, CA earn a median of $118,029 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.05% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 0.10% below the California state average of $118,147.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tustin has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tustin, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $118,029 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $104,358 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$99,288
2025 BLS Actual
$115,004
2026 Current Est.
$118,029
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Tustin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,288 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,011 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,418 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,573 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,359 | Actual |
| 2024 | $141,232 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,004 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118,029 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,133 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tustin metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $99,288 (2019) to $115,004 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,133 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,845 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tustin 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) | $76,812 – $90,738 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,738 – $118,029 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $118,029 – $150,986 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $150,986 – $182,944 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Tustin
Looking at the local job market, Tustin employs 18 civil engineers, an indicator of a specialized yet modestly sized professional community. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, which means that while civil engineer salaries here are above the national average, the take-home purchasing power is impacted by local expenses. Among the various employers, prominent engineering consulting firms typically offer more competitive salaries than state and local government positions. Factors like possessing a PE license and expertise in high-demand specialties—such as structural or geotechnical engineering—can significantly influence pay discrepancies. Moreover, engaging in project management tracks or capitalizing on current infrastructure funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law can provide pathways to maximize earnings for civil engineers in Tustin, CA.
More salary data for Tustin, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do civil engineers make in Tustin, CA in 2026?
Is Tustin, CA a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Can civil engineers make $100K in Tustin?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted civil engineer salary in Tustin?
How much does a civil engineer make per hour in Tustin?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $115,004 for civil engineersin the Tustin 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 Tustin 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