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2026 Salary Data — Long Beach, CA
Updated April 28, 2026

Civil Engineer Salary in Long Beach: $115K Median

Civil Engineers in Long Beach, CA earn between $78K and $174K per year.

That's +20% above the US national median of $95,890 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Civil Engineer salary in Long Beach, CA is $115,068 per year — +20% above the US national median of $95,890. Salaries range from $78,000 (entry, 25th percentile) to $173,532 (90th percentile). Civil Engineers in Long Beach earned approximately $20,187 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$115,068
+470.0% YoY · $9,589/mo
Entry
$78,000
0–2 years
Experienced
$150,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$173,532
Senior/lead
Civil Engineer Salary — Long Beach vs Nearby
Long Beach
$115K
Los Angeles
$123K
-6% vs Long Beach
San Diego
$113K
+2% vs Long Beach
San Francisco
$149K
-23% vs Long Beach

Free ATS scan · Long Beach employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Civil Engineers in Long Beach

Civil engineers design, build, and maintain infrastructure projects: roads, bridges, buildings, water systems, and more.

Core Responsibilities

  • Design infrastructure
  • Project management
  • Site inspection
  • Construction documents
  • Code compliance

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree (ABET); PE for senior roles

In-demand certifications

PE (Professional Engineer)LEEDPMPOSHA 30

Long Beach Job Market

Major Pacific port city with strong aerospace and healthcare presence.

Population
467K
Cost of Living
153
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
5%
Median Home
$770K

Top Industries in Long Beach

AerospaceHealthcareLogistics (Port)TourismEducation

Top Employers Hiring Civil Engineers

Major employers active in Long Beach or hiring remotely from this metro.

AECOM
Bechtel
Jacobs
Kiewit
Skanska
state DOTs
municipal governments

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Civil Engineer listings.

BIM (Revit)Sustainability/LEEDClimate-resilient designSmart citiesDrone surveying

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

AutoCADCivil 3Dproject managementstructural analysisPE licenseLEEDRevitsite planning
Career Outlook
+6% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Civil engineering growing 6% with $1.2T US infrastructure investment driving demand through 2034.

Civil Engineer Salary Breakdown — Long Beach

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$78,000$115,068$173,532
Monthly$6,500$9,589$14,461
Weekly$1,500$2,213$3,337
Hourly$38$55$83

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($95,890) adjusted for Long Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (1.20×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Civil Engineer Take-Home Pay in Long Beach

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$82,919.598
Per month$6,910
Biweekly paycheck$3,189
Effective tax rate27.9%

Tax Breakdown on $115,068

Gross salary$115,068
Federal income tax−$17,016.96
California state tax−$6,328.74
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$8,802.702
Take-home (net)$82,919.598

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Civil Engineer Salary by Experience — Long Beach

Career-stage progression for Civil Engineers in Long Beach.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$71,760
2–3 yr$78,000
4–6 yr$114,000
7–10 yr$150,000
11–15 yr$177,000
15+ yr$161,766

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Long Beach's 1.20× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$20,187
2026 median:$115,068
Change:+$94,881

Engineering sector growth driven by demand for BIM (Revit) and Sustainability/LEED.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$75,208
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your Civil Engineer Salary in Long Beach

Walk-away anchor: $102,739 (offers below this are below market for Long Beach).

Leverage Points

  • PE license carries a clear pay premium (often 10-15%) - cite it explicitly
  • Project-specific experience: EV powertrain, semiconductor fab, infrastructure megaprojects
  • Per-diem, travel pay, and relocation are negotiable separately from base
  • Software-adjacent skills (Python, MATLAB, simulation, MLOps) raise the ceiling

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

PE license exam fees, study materials, review coursesRelocation package and temporary housingProject-completion or milestone bonusesPer-diem for site travel and field workTuition reimbursement for MS/PhD

What To Say

"With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus."

Anchor on $150K–$174K for experienced roles, citing Long Beach market data and your specific BIM (Revit)/Sustainability/LEED expertise.

Civil Engineer Salary FAQ — Long Beach

What is the average Civil Engineer salary in Long Beach, CA?
The average Civil Engineer salary in Long Beach is $115,068 per year as of April 2026 — $9,589/month, $2,213/week, or about $55/hour. Salaries range from $78,000 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $173,532 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Long Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (1.20×).
Is $115,068 a good Civil Engineer salary in Long Beach?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Long Beach's cost-of-living index is 153 (vs 100 nationally), giving $115,068 a real purchasing power of approximately $75,208 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $115,068 in Long Beach?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For Long Beach specifically (median home price $770,000), a $115,068 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $115,068 enough for a single person in Long Beach?
A single adult in Long Beach typically needs ~$68,850 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $115,068 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $115,068 enough for a couple in Long Beach?
A couple (one earner) in Long Beach typically needs ~$110,160 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $115,068 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $115,068 each ($230,136 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $115,068 enough for a family of 4 in Long Beach?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Long Beach typically needs ~$168,300 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $115,068 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Long Beach. Childcare costs in Long Beach typically run $23K-$43K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Civil Engineer in Long Beach?
On a $115,068 Civil Engineer salary in Long Beach, CA, you take home approximately $82,919.598 per year ($6,910/month, $3,189 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $17,016.96, state $6,328.74, FICA $8,802.702. Effective tax rate: 27.9%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Civil Engineers in Long Beach earn compared to the US average?
Civil Engineers in Long Beach earn approximately 20% more than the US national median for this role ($95,890 nationally vs $115,068 in Long Beach). However, Long Beach's cost-of-living index of 153 means real purchasing power is approximately $75,208 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Civil Engineer earn in Long Beach?
Entry-level Civil Engineers in Long Beach typically start at around $78,000 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Civil Engineers earn $150,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $173,532+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Civil Engineer salaries in Long Beach increase in 2026?
Yes — Civil Engineer salaries in Long Beach grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $20,187 in 2025 to $115,068 in 2026 (+$94,881). This reflects the broader Engineering sector's compensation trend, driven by BIM (Revit) and Sustainability/LEED demand.
What's the job outlook for Civil Engineers in Long Beach?
Civil engineering growing 6% with $1.2T US infrastructure investment driving demand through 2034. Long Beach's top industries include Aerospace, Healthcare, Logistics (Port), and the metro's current unemployment rate is 5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Civil Engineers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Civil Engineers are: BIM (Revit), Sustainability/LEED, Climate-resilient design, Smart cities, Drone surveying. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Long Beach.
Who are the top employers hiring Civil Engineers in Long Beach?
Top employers hiring Civil Engineers in or near Long Beach include: AECOM, Bechtel, Jacobs, Kiewit, Skanska, state DOTs. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Civil Engineer salary in Long Beach?
With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus. Key leverage points for Engineering negotiations: PE license carries a clear pay premium (often 10-15%) - cite it explicitly; Project-specific experience: EV powertrain, semiconductor fab, infrastructure megaprojects; Per-diem, travel pay, and relocation are negotiable separately from base. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: PE license exam fees, study materials, review courses, Relocation package and temporary housing, Project-completion or milestone bonuses, Per-diem for site travel and field work.
How can I increase my Civil Engineer salary in Long Beach?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (BIM (Revit), Sustainability/LEED, Climate-resilient design) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., PE (Professional Engineer) or LEED). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Civil Engineer in Long Beach?
Bachelor's degree (ABET); PE for senior roles is the typical path. However, Long Beach's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Engineering roles.

Methodology & Sources

Civil Engineer salary figures for Long Beach are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($95,890) by Long Beach's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.20× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (470.0%) reflects the Engineering sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Long Beach

Mechanical Engineer →Electrical Engineer →

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Los Angeles, CA$123KSan Diego, CA$113KSan Francisco, CA$149KFresno, CA$91KSacramento, CA$104KOakland, CA$134K

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