Civil Engineer Salary in Rancho Cucamonga, CA: $119,763 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Rancho Cucamonga, CA earns a median $119,763/year (≈ $57.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Rancho Cucamonga's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $105,891 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Rancho Cucamonga, California, can expect a median annual salary of $119,763, reflecting a competitive increase from national averages. This figure is positioned well above the national median of $103,492, signaling a healthy local market for this profession. Salaries in the area range significantly, with the lowest 10% earning around $75,752, while the upper echelon can command as much as $185,633. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS estimates projected to 2026, account for regional price adjustments and illustrate the potential earnings for civil engineers navigating their careers through the licensure process from Engineer-in-Training (EIT) to Professional Engineer (PE). The robust salary outlook underscores the active demand for engineering talent in Rancho Cucamonga's evolving infrastructure sectors.
About the Rancho Cucamonga Market
Salary estimated from California average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,752 | $36.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,506 | $46.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $119,763 | $57.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153,296 | $73.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $185,633 | $89.25 |
Median Salary Position
15.72% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rancho Cucamonga
In Rancho Cucamonga, CA, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,881 (2026 est.). At $119,763, the local median is 15.72% above the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rancho Cucamonga: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rancho Cucamonga Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Rancho Cucamonga median: $119,763/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rancho Cucamonga Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $118,110 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | +15.72% more |
Civil Engineers in Rancho Cucamonga, CA earn a median of $119,763 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.72% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 1.40% above the California state average of $118,110.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rancho Cucamonga has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $119,763 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $105,891 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,748
2025 BLS Actual
$116,694
2026 Current Est.
$119,763
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Rancho Cucamonga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,748 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,495 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,893 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,966 | Actual |
| 2024 | $143,309 | Actual |
| 2025 | $116,694 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,763 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $122,913 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rancho Cucamonga metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $100,748 (2019) to $116,694 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $122,913 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,165 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rancho Cucamonga 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) | $75,752 – $97,506 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,506 – $119,763 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $119,763 – $153,296 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $153,296 – $185,633 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Rancho Cucamonga
The local job market is currently home to 46 civil engineers, reflecting both stability and competition among professionals. However, the cost of living index in Rancho Cucamonga sits at 113.1, which is notably higher than the national average. This fact highlights the importance of assessing take-home pay when considering job offers in the area. Leading employers like AECOM and Jacobs often pay higher salaries compared to municipal agencies, making them attractive options for those seeking greater compensation. Factors contributing to the salary spectrum include the attainment of a PE license, specialization in areas such as structural or geotechnical engineering, and firm size, with top-tier consultants typically offering superior packages compared to mid-tier and smaller firms. To maximize civil engineer pay in Rancho Cucamonga, professionals might focus on gaining licensure and expertise in high-demand specialties while targeting opportunities in firms that are positioned to benefit from increased infrastructure funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
More salary data for Rancho Cucamonga, 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 $116,694 for civil engineersin the Rancho Cucamonga 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 Rancho Cucamonga 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