Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Sunnyvale, CA: $65.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Sunnyvale, CA runs $65.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $136,846 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Sunnyvale's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $58.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $82,114 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sunnyvale, California, the civil engineer hourly pay is projected to be $65.80 in 2026, significantly above the national median of $49.76. This higher rate reflects the area's robust demand for civil engineering professionals, which is largely driven by ongoing infrastructure projects and a competitive cost of living index. For part-time civil engineers working three days a week, this median translates to a weekly take-home pay of approximately $1,058, making it an appealing option for those seeking flexibility in their schedules while still engaging in meaningful work. Entry-level positions may start around $43.73 per hour, while top earners can reach up to $101.97 per hour, allowing varying earning potentials based on experience and specialization within different work environments such as consulting firms, construction sites, or government offices.
About the Sunnyvale Market
Salary estimated from California average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43.73 | $349.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.20 | $409.62 |
| Median (P50) | $65.80 | $526.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84.21 | $673.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101.97 | $815.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sunnyvale
Based on $65.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.80/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sunnyvale, CA can expect to earn approximately $136,856 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,955. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Sunnyvale.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sunnyvale
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,631.84 | $11,405 | $136,856 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,579.11 | $6,843 | $82,114 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,052.74 | $4,562 | $54,742 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Sunnyvale) | $65.80 |
| Mechanical Engineer (National Avg) | $48.61 |
| Electrical Engineer (National Avg) | $54.18 |
| Architect (National Avg) | $45.72 |
| Construction Manager (National Avg) | $51.87 |
Civil Engineers in Sunnyvale, CA earn a median of $136,846 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.23% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 15.80% above the California state average of $118,174.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.80/hr = $82,114/year (purchasing power: $72,603).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $136,856/year (purchasing power: $121,004).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$55.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Sunnyvale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $56.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $55.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $60.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $70.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Sunnyvale grew 15.8% from $55.35/hr (2019) to $64.11/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.53/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem civil engineers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sunnyvale 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.
Working as an Hourly Civil Engineer in Sunnyvale
For civil engineers considering part-time work in Sunnyvale, earning potential is noteworthy; a typical 24-hour workweek would yield an annual income of about $55,000, compared to full-time counterparts who might earn significantly more. The per diem civil engineer pay in Sunnyvale showcases another lucrative avenue, with contracting professionals often billing between $100 and $180 per hour, depending on their expertise. For instance, seasoned structural engineers acting as expert witnesses can command rates of $250 to $500 per hour. Depending on the employer type—ranging from private engineering firms like AECOM and Jacobs to local government departments—hourly earnings can vary widely. Engineers often face a benefits trade-off: higher hourly wages may come without health insurance, leading some to choose stability over pay. Negotiating an hourly rate can depend heavily on the individual’s credentials, such as having a PE license, especially in a market like Sunnyvale's where demand for qualified professionals continues to rise due to initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for Sunnyvale, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for civil engineers in Sunnyvale. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Sunnyvale 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