Senior Civil Engineer Salary in Long Beach, CA: $173,395 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of civil engineers working in Long Beach, CA — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $173,395/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 17-2051. Strip back Long Beach's price premium (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $153,311 in average-cost America. The 55% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Competitive compensation for seasoned civil engineers in Long Beach, California is impressive. In 2026, the median annual salary is projected to reach $111,868, but more experienced professionals can command top-tier pay significantly higher, with the 90th percentile earning around $173,395. This gap highlights the experience premium in this market; the difference between the median and what top earners could see underscores the lucrative opportunities available. To achieve such high levels of compensation requires not only years of professional experience—typically over seven years—but also advanced credentials like a Professional Engineer (PE) license, coupled with expertise in highly-specialized areas within civil engineering.
About the Long Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Long Beach
Experienced civil engineers at the top of the pay scale in Long Beach earn between $143,190 and $173,395 per year (2026 est.). This $104,604 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Long Beach median of $111,868 sits 8.09% above the US median.
Top CE, PE Salary Comparison
| Level | Long Beach | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $111,868 | $103,492 |
| 75th Percentile | $143,190 | $133,091 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $173,395 | $167,513 |
In Long Beach, experienced civil engineers (P90) earn 55.00% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Civil Engineer Pay in Long Beach
Advanced Certifications in California
CA civil engineers with additional specialty certifications within the civil engineering field earn significantly above the $111,868 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Long Beach employers.
Specialty Focus
Civil Engineers focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the civil engineering field in Long Beach command premium compensation, often reaching the $143,190–$173,395 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Long Beach metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced civil engineers who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured civil engineers in Long Beach with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Civil Engineers in California who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Civil Engineer Career & Wage Growth Path in Long Beach
Clinical Civil Engineer
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Civil Engineer
5-10 yearsCivil Engineer Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedLong Beach ranks #139 of 158 California cities for top earner civil engineer salary (90th percentile: $173,395).
Top 10% civil engineer compensation in Long Beach ($173,395) is 5.49% below the California average P90 ($183,474).
2019 BLS Actual
$149,637
2025 BLS Actual
$168,952
2026 Current Est.
$173,395
2019–2027 Growth
+18.9%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Long Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $149,637 | Actual |
| 2020 | $149,895 | Actual |
| 2021 | $138,002 | Actual |
| 2022 | $143,561 | Actual |
| 2023 | $155,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $230,852 | Actual |
| 2025 | $168,952 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $173,395 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $177,956 | Projected |
Top-earning civil engineers (90th percentile) in Long Beach saw their compensation grow 12.9% from $149,637 in 2019 to $168,952 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 2.63% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $177,956 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Long 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.
Maximizing Your Civil Engineer Earnings in Long Beach
Navigating the compensation landscape, specialized skills play a prominent role in determining senior civil engineer pay in CA. Fields such as structural engineering, transportation, and water resources are particularly in demand in Long Beach, attracting premium pay. Moreover, compensation can vary widely depending on the type of employer; top-tier consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs often offer higher salaries compared to government positions or smaller local companies. Advancement opportunities abound, with career paths like project manager or senior engineer allowing for notable salary increases. Credentials, including passing the FE and obtaining a PE, are crucial for securing leadership roles, enhancing an engineer's marketability. Additionally, recent infrastructure investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law significantly boost job prospects, influencing pay across the board, especially in the private sector.
More salary data for Long Beach, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced civil engineers make in Long Beach in 2026?
What drives higher civil engineer pay in Long Beach?
What certifications boost civil engineer salary in Long Beach?
Can experienced civil engineers make six figures in Long Beach?
How much does civil engineer salary increase over time in Long Beach?
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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $168,952 for civil engineers in the Long Beach metro area. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Long 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