Civil Engineer Salary in Hanford, CA: $102,538 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Hanford, CA earns a median $102,538/year (≈ $49.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Hanford's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.6), that paycheck buys what $100,911 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.2% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Hanford, California are projected to earn a median annual salary of $102,538, reflecting the unique dynamics of the local job market. This figure suggests a competitive environment for engineering professionals, particularly considering the full salary range from $74,232 at the 10th percentile to $171,638 at the 90th percentile. Derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), this data highlights how licensure impacts earnings. In Hanford, obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license significantly enhances earning potential, allowing engineers to transition from entry-level positions to more senior roles. The job market remains robust, offering opportunities particularly for those skilled in managing infrastructure projects, as hiring continues to be influenced by funding from recent infrastructure initiatives.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,232 | $35.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,790 | $46.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,538 | $49.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $130,432 | $62.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $171,638 | $82.51 |
Median Salary Position
0.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hanford
In Hanford, CA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $97,406 (2026 est.). At $102,538, the local median is 0.92% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hanford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hanford Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Hanford median: $102,538/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hanford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $118,131 | -13.20% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -0.92% less |
Civil Engineers in Hanford, CA earn a median of $102,538 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.92% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 13.20% below the California state average of $118,131.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hanford has a cost of living 1.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hanford, CA has a cost-of-living index of 101.612 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $102,538 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $100,911 — a 1.59% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,257
2025 BLS Actual
$99,910
2026 Current Est.
$102,538
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Hanford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,257 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,753 | Actual |
| 2021 | $87,238 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,111 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,910 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,538 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,234 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hanford metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $86,257 (2019) to $99,910 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,234 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,977 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hanford 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) | $74,232 – $96,790 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,790 – $102,538 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,538 – $130,432 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $130,432 – $171,638 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Hanford
The local employment landscape features around 40 civil engineers, a testament to the area's steady demand for these professionals. However, it's worth considering the cost of living, with a cost-of-living index of 101.612, which suggests that while salaries appear attractive, they may not stretch as far as in lower-cost locales. Employers in Hanford vary from top-tier engineering consulting firms to federal and state agencies, with the highest salaries often found in well-established companies like Bechtel or Jacobs. The disparity in pay often arises from various factors, including specialization in areas such as geotechnical engineering or project management versus technical roles. For civil engineers seeking to maximize their compensation in Hanford, pursuing licensure, targeting high-tier firms, and staying engaged with major infrastructure projects can yield the best results in an evolving job market.
More salary data for Hanford, 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 $99,910 for civil engineersin the Hanford 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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