Civil Engineer Salary in Pasadena, CA: $119,057 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Pasadena, CA earns a median $119,057/year (≈ $57.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Pasadena's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $105,267 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pasadena, California, civil engineers can expect to earn a median annual salary of $119,057 in 2026, representing a notable 15.04% increase over the national median salary of $103,492. The salary range for this profession in the area spans from $80,251 at the 10th percentile to $184,538 at the 90th percentile, showcasing significant potential for earnings as engineers gain experience and credentials. Local estimates from BLS state-level data and adjustments for regional price parity indicate a favorable landscape for civil engineer pay in Pasadena, CA, particularly for those holding a Professional Engineer (PE) license, which can accelerate one’s pay scale significantly.
About the Pasadena Market
Salary estimated from California average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,251 | $38.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,513 | $44.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $119,057 | $57.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $152,393 | $73.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $184,538 | $88.72 |
Median Salary Position
15.04% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pasadena
In Pasadena, CA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $104,287 (2026 est.). At $119,057, the local median is 15.04% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pasadena: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pasadena Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Pasadena median: $119,057/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pasadena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $118,112 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +15.04% more |
Civil Engineers in Pasadena, CA earn a median of $119,057 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.04% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 0.80% above the California state average of $118,112.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pasadena has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pasadena, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $119,057 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $105,267 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,154
2025 BLS Actual
$116,006
2026 Current Est.
$119,057
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Pasadena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,154 | Actual |
| 2020 | $101,891 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,292 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,467 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,312 | Actual |
| 2024 | $142,463 | Actual |
| 2025 | $116,006 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,057 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $122,188 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pasadena metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $100,154 (2019) to $116,006 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $122,188 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,034 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pasadena 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) | $80,251 – $93,513 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,513 – $119,057 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $119,057 – $152,393 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $152,393 – $184,538 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Pasadena
With a workforce of 35 civil engineers in Pasadena, the local job market remains competitive, buoyed by a cost of living index of 113.1. This index suggests that while salaries are relatively elevated, take-home purchasing power may be impacted by the higher living costs in the region. The highest-paying opportunities often arise from leading engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, which cater to complex projects fueled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Variations in compensation are influenced by factors such as specialization, the attainment of PE licensure, and firm reputation, with project managers typically earning more than technical roles. To maximize their civil engineer salary in Pasadena, individuals should pursue seniority within reputable firms, seek out specialty training in high-demand areas such as geotechnical or transportation engineering, and consider networking within industries benefiting from increased infrastructure spending.
More salary data for Pasadena, 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 $116,006 for civil engineersin the Pasadena 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 Pasadena 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