Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Fairfield, CT: $50.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Fairfield, CT runs $50.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,379 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Fairfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.9, 8% above national), each hour of work buys what $46.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,632 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fairfield, Connecticut, civil engineers earn a median hourly rate of $50.19, placing them slightly ahead of the national hourly median of $49.76. This attractive pay scale reflects the increasing demand for civil engineering professionals in various settings, including consulting firms, construction sites, and government departments. For those working part-time or on a per-diem basis, typically three days a week, the potential earnings can yield a meaningful supplementary income. Entry-level positions may start at about $35.55 per hour, while more experienced engineers can command rates up to $77.78 per hour. It's crucial to remember that these hourly figures are derived from estimated annual salaries and present a roadmap for those pursuing opportunities in this growing field.
About the Fairfield 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) | $35.55 | $284.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.64 | $325.13 |
| Median (P50) | $50.19 | $401.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.28 | $506.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77.78 | $622.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fairfield
Based on $50.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.19/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fairfield, CT can expect to earn approximately $104,387 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,223. With a cost-of-living index of 107.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fairfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fairfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,007.44 | $8,699 | $104,387 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,204.47 | $5,219 | $62,632 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $802.98 | $3,480 | $41,755 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Fairfield) | $50.19 |
| 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 Fairfield, CT earn a median of $104,379 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.86% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 1.70% below the Connecticut state average of $106,184.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.19/hr = $62,632/year (purchasing power: $58,047).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,387/year (purchasing power: $96,744).
CoL index: 107.9 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$42.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Fairfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.09/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Fairfield grew 15.8% from $42.22/hr (2019) to $48.90/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.51/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 Fairfield 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 Fairfield
When analyzing the potential for part-time civil engineers in Fairfield, a typical schedule of three days a week, translating to approximately 24 hours, can yield earnings of around $62,061 annually. Conversely, full-time professionals have the opportunity for higher annual income through consistent work hours. Per-diem civil engineers often encounter varied billing rates, ranging from $100 to $180 per hour for standard projects, while specialized roles can demand even higher fees—up to $500 per hour as expert witnesses in structural and forensic cases. Hourly pay may also vary based on the employer type, with engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs generally offering different compensation packages than larger construction companies such as Bechtel and Fluor. Factors such as health benefits often influence a civil engineer's choice between slightly lower hourly compensation with comprehensive health insurance or the allure of higher pay without benefits. For those negotiating their hourly rates in Fairfield, emphasizing credentials like PE licensure can enhance bargaining power, especially in a context where the demand for civil engineers is spurred on by initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for Fairfield, 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 Fairfield. 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 Fairfield 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