Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Surprise, AZ: $45.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Surprise, AZ runs $45.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $94,574 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Surprise's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $56,740 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in Surprise, Arizona, can expect a median hourly rate of $45.47 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $49.76. This wage reflects the broader dynamics of the engineering market in Arizona and is indicative of the local cost of living, which is slightly below the national average. For part-time engineers working three days a week, this translates into a practical earning potential. These professionals, operating in diverse settings such as consulting firm offices or remote project management, can expect a range of hourly pay from $31.25 for entry-level positions up to $70.48 for highly experienced engineers. This information is derived from salary data estimates, providing a comprehensive overview of what civil engineer hourly pay looks like in Surprise.
About the Surprise Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.25 | $250.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.17 | $289.33 |
| Median (P50) | $45.47 | $363.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58.20 | $465.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70.48 | $563.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Surprise
Based on $45.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.47/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Surprise, AZ can expect to earn approximately $94,567 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,558. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Surprise.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Surprise
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,818.60 | $7,881 | $94,567 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,091.16 | $4,728 | $56,740 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $727.44 | $3,152 | $37,827 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Surprise) | $45.47 |
| Mechanical Engineer (National Avg) | $48.61 |
| Electrical Engineer (National Avg) | $54.18 |
| Architect (National Avg) | $45.72 |
| Construction Manager (National Avg) | $51.87 |
Civil Engineers in Surprise, AZ earn a median of $94,574 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.62% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.20% below the Arizona state average of $94,763.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.47/hr = $56,740/year (purchasing power: $57,604).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $94,567/year (purchasing power: $96,007).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Surprise (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Surprise grew 15.8% from $38.25/hr (2019) to $44.30/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.66/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem civil engineers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Surprise 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.
Working as an Hourly Civil Engineer in Surprise
The earning potential for a part-time civil engineer who works 24 hours a week could yield an annual income significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. While full-time roles capitalize on consistent income through benefits and guaranteed work hours, part-time civil engineers may opt for more flexibility, albeit at a lower annual salary. Per diem civil engineer pay in Surprise can vary widely; those on 1099 contracts often bill between $100-$180 per hour, with seasoned experts potentially charging $250-$500 per hour for consulting or forensic services. Hourly rates can differ based on employer type, where engineering consulting firms or Fortune 500 construction companies might offer different pay scales compared to local government positions. Engineers in Surprise must also consider the trade-offs between higher pay and benefits packages when negotiating their hourly rates, especially in a competitive market influenced by infrastructure funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Practical negotiation tips include emphasizing specialized skills or certifications, such as the PE license, to enhance their leverage in discussions.
More salary data for Surprise, AZ:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for civil engineers in Surprise. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Surprise 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