Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Rialto, CA: $77,120 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Rialto, CA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $77,120 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Rialto's local price level (BEA RPP 113.1 — 13% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $68,187 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($120,326) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The starting civil engineer salary in Rialto, California, presents promising prospects for new graduates entering the workforce in 2026. Entry-level positions typically offer a salary of around $77,120, which sits significantly below the city median of $120,326. However, for early-career professionals, there is a strong growth trajectory as engineers can expect their earnings to rise from the first percentile at $77,120 to approximately $91,491 within a few years. For new grads looking for opportunities, Rialto is currently a favorable market due to its active infrastructure projects, supported by investments stemming from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, setting a positive tone for salary advancements in the coming years.
About the Rialto Market
Salary estimated from California average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Rialto
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rialto
Entry-level civil engineers in Rialto, CA typically start between $77,120 and $91,491 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $109,386 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $120,326 — 16.27% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in California of $92,000 represents just 119.29% of the starting civil engineer pay ($77,120/year) in Rialto. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover ABET-accredited undergraduate civil engineering programs at public and private universities. Licensure (FE after graduation, PE after 4 years experience) adds exam fees. Many engineers pursue master's degrees (MS or MEng).
CE, PE Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Rialto
- 1Research the Rialto market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $77,120 to $91,491, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the civil engineering field — employers in CA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Rialto, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Rialto for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Rialto's above-average cost of living (index: 113.1) when evaluating offers — a slightly lower salary in a nearby affordable area may provide better purchasing power.
Civil Engineer Compensation Range
The civil engineer wage spread in Rialto is $109,386 ( 141.84%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $77,120, experienced hygienists can earn up to $186,506.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$60,983
2025 BLS Actual
$75,144
2026 Current Est.
$77,120
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Rialto (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,983 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,842 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,676 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,216 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,616 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,192 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,144 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,120 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,149 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Rialto, CA grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $60,983 in 2019 to $75,144 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $79,149. New graduates entering the Rialto job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rialto 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.
Starting Your civil engineering Career in Rialto
Employers in Rialto more frequently seeking new graduates include robust consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, which often have structured training programs for Engineers in Training (EIT). Other notable employers include state and federal agencies like the US Army Corps of Engineers, offering stability and benefits like pension plans. Starting credentials such as a Bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited program and passing the FE exam lay a strong foundation for a fruitful career. Continuing education and gaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license can significantly enhance earning potential, as the PE credential is often a prerequisite for senior project management roles. With consistent demand attributed to infrastructure growth, those within their first three years can anticipate substantial salary increases, positioning themselves favorably for mid-career advancements.
More salary data for Rialto, 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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new civil engineering graduates. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Rialto. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Rialto 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