Okay, let’s tackle this. So R.E. Staite has an extremely long and varied career, which is unusual. He’s been working since 1938, which is over 80 years ago. This suggests he’s been doing something he loves for a very long time. Given his experience in environmental engineering and project management, he’s likely worked on numerous high-profile projects. However, his exact skills and experience are hard to quantify. Let’s consider the average salary for a contractor in the San Diego area. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for contractors in California is around $90,000. However, this doesn’t account for his level of experience or expertise. Considering his 86 years of experience, he’s likely an expert in his field. This could put him in the top 10% of contractors. Let’s assume an hourly rate of $150, which is on the higher end of the scale. This is still a rough estimate, but it’s based on his impressive experience and expertise.