Okay, let’s tackle this. So John Evans has skills in design, San, and civil engineering. He’s based in San Luis Obispo, California, which is a mid-sized city with a relatively low cost of living. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, civil engineers in California with similar skills and experience can earn around $90,000–$120,000 per year. Considering his expertise in design, which is a valuable skill in the industry, I’ll estimate his hourly rate to be around $125, which is slightly below the average but still competitive for a mid-level civil engineer in this location.