Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Bristol, CT: $50.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Bristol, CT runs $50.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,304 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Bristol's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.9, 8% above national), each hour of work buys what $46.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,183 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Bristol, Connecticut, the projected median civil engineer hourly pay in 2026 stands at $50.63, slightly above the national median of $49.76. This competitive rate indicates a positive landscape for civil engineers, especially those considering part-time roles or per diem work. With typical positions found in environments like consulting firms, government offices, and construction sites, a civil engineer working three days a week could earn a commendable income while maintaining flexibility. The hourly pay range spans from $32.59 for entry-level positions to $78.47 for highly experienced professionals, reflecting the diverse opportunities available in this field, where workers are often engaged with advanced CAD technologies and complex project management. These values derive from annual salary data, capturing the breadth of opportunities across Bristol’s job market for civil engineers.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.59 | $260.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.53 | $332.27 |
| Median (P50) | $50.63 | $405.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64.80 | $518.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.47 | $627.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bristol
Based on $50.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.63/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bristol, CT can expect to earn approximately $105,305 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,753. With a cost-of-living index of 107.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bristol.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bristol
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,025.10 | $8,775 | $105,305 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,215.06 | $5,265 | $63,183 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $810.04 | $3,510 | $42,122 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Bristol) | $50.63 |
| 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 Bristol, CT earn a median of $105,304 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.75% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 0.80% below the Connecticut state average of $106,153.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.63/hr = $63,183/year (purchasing power: $58,557).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,305/year (purchasing power: $97,595).
CoL index: 107.9 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$42.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.59/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Bristol grew 15.8% from $42.59/hr (2019) to $49.33/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.96/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 Bristol 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 Bristol
Part-time civil engineers in Bristol should be aware that working 24 hours a week translates to approximately $63,024 annually, a substantial earning potential compared to full-time counterparts. For those in need of flexibility, per diem civil engineer pay in Bristol is noteworthy; widely ranging from $100 to $180 per hour, it offers top professionals the chance to capitalize on specialized skills. More experienced engineers, particularly in roles such as forensic or structural experts, can command rates as high as $500 per hour. Pay scales can vary based on the employer: established engineering consulting firms and Fortune 500 construction companies tend to provide a structured salary with benefits, while specialty consulting roles might offer higher hourly rates without traditional health insurance. Engineers negotiating hourly rates in Bristol should consider their work-life balance and potential benefits when weighing options, as some may prefer a higher hourly rate in exchange for less job security.
More salary data for Bristol, CT:
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 Bristol. 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 Bristol 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