Civil Engineer Salary in Whittier, CA: $119,881 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Whittier, CA earns a median $119,881/year (≈ $57.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Whittier's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $105,996 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in Whittier, California, can expect a median annual pay of $119,881 in 2026, outperforming the national average by approximately 15.84%. Salary ranges show a variation from $81,548 at the 10th percentile to $185,816 at the 90th percentile, illustrating significant earning potential based on experience and specialization. These estimates are drawn from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic factors, including Whittier's cost of living index, which is above the national average. The divergent salary levels reflect not only the employment opportunities but also the varying demands from sectors such as consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs versus governmental roles within local agencies and state departments. This structural complexity adds nuance to the job market, making Whittier a competitive locale for civil engineering professionals.
About the Whittier Market
Salary estimated from California average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,548 | $39.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,818 | $44.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $119,881 | $57.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153,195 | $73.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $185,816 | $89.34 |
Median Salary Position
15.84% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Whittier
In Whittier, CA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $104,268 (2026 est.). At $119,881, the local median is 15.84% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Whittier: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Whittier Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Whittier median: $119,881/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Whittier Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $118,109 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +15.84% more |
Civil Engineers in Whittier, CA earn a median of $119,881 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.84% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 1.50% above the California state average of $118,109.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Whittier has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Whittier, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $119,881 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $105,996 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,847
2025 BLS Actual
$116,809
2026 Current Est.
$119,881
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Whittier (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,847 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,596 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,994 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,183 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,075 | Actual |
| 2024 | $143,449 | Actual |
| 2025 | $116,809 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,881 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,034 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Whittier metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $100,847 (2019) to $116,809 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,034 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,187 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Whittier 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) | $81,548 – $91,818 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,818 – $119,881 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $119,881 – $153,195 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $153,195 – $185,816 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Whittier
With a workforce of just 22 civil engineers, the job market in Whittier reflects a niche environment. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, which indicates that the relatively high salaries must contend with increased living expenses, potentially impacting real purchasing power. Notably, top-paying employers such as AECOM and Jacobs often lead in compensation, benefiting from high-profile projects bolstered by recent infrastructure spending initiatives—namely the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This influx of funding emphasizes the demand for specialized skills, particularly for those with a Professional Engineer (PE) license who can negotiate from a stronger position. To maximize earnings in Whittier, civil engineers should consider focusing on in-demand specializations, pursuing advanced credentials, and exploring opportunities in higher-tier consulting firms that typically command premium pay.
More salary data for Whittier, 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 $116,809 for civil engineersin the Whittier 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 Whittier 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