Civil Engineer Salary in Chino, CA: $119,460 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Chino, CA earns a median $119,460/year (≈ $57.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Chino's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $105,623 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Chino, California can expect a median annual salary of $119,460, surpassing the national average by approximately 15.43%. Salary expectations range significantly, with the lower end at $80,451 and the higher end reaching $185,163. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for the regional cost of living, illustrate both the earning potential and variability in compensation within the field. The progression from the FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) to PE (Professional Engineer) licensure is vital in this market, as achieving the PE license considerably enhances earning opportunities, particularly as professionals advance into senior technical or project management roles. This competitive salary landscape reflects a strong demand for civil engineering expertise, especially given ongoing investments in infrastructure projects driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
About the Chino Market
Salary estimated from California average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,451 | $38.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,594 | $44.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $119,460 | $57.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $152,048 | $73.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $185,163 | $89.02 |
Median Salary Position
15.43% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chino
In Chino, CA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $104,712 (2026 est.). At $119,460, the local median is 15.43% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chino: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chino Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Chino median: $119,460/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chino Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $118,161 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +15.43% more |
Civil Engineers in Chino, CA earn a median of $119,460 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.43% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 1.10% above the California state average of $118,161.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chino has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chino, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $119,460 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $105,623 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,493
2025 BLS Actual
$116,399
2026 Current Est.
$119,460
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Chino (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,493 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,236 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,636 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,817 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,685 | Actual |
| 2024 | $142,945 | Actual |
| 2025 | $116,399 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,460 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $122,602 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chino metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $100,493 (2019) to $116,399 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $122,602 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,109 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chino 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) | $80,451 – $93,594 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,594 – $119,460 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $119,460 – $152,048 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $152,048 – $185,163 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Chino
Chino’s local job market supports a modest cadre of 17 civil engineers, indicating a tight-knit community where relationships may play a significant role in career advancement. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, slightly above the national average, which influences real take-home pay for engineers in the area. Employers such as AECOM and Jacobs are likely to offer higher salaries, benefitting from their status as leading consulting firms. Differences in pay often arise from the type of work, with specialized fields like structural and geotechnical engineering commanding premiums, as well as from the employer's tier, where top consulting firms typically pay more than mid-tier or government roles. To maximize earnings in Chino, engineers should consider pursuing the PE license and specializing in high-demand areas while being strategic about employer choice, aligning their career paths with sectors experiencing the most significant growth due to infrastructure funding.
More salary data for Chino, 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 $116,399 for civil engineersin the Chino 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 Chino 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