Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Waterbury, CT: $49.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Waterbury, CT runs $49.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,240 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Waterbury's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.8, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.26 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,339 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Civil engineers in Waterbury, Connecticut, earn a median hourly rate of $49.15, slightly below the national median of $49.76 per hour. This hourly pay provides a competitive edge, particularly for those considering part-time arrangements or per-diem work. For example, a civil engineer working three days a week would earn approximately $50,000 annually, making this profession attractive for individuals seeking flexible schedules. The hourly range for civil engineers in Waterbury spans from $35.83 for entry-level positions to as much as $73.94 for top earners, reflecting the varying levels of experience and expertise in this field. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and illustrates a robust employment market for civil engineers within different settings, including consulting firms, construction sites, and government offices.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.83 | $286.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.28 | $306.25 |
| Median (P50) | $49.15 | $393.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.54 | $500.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73.94 | $591.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waterbury
Based on $49.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.15/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waterbury, CT can expect to earn approximately $102,231 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,979. With a cost-of-living index of 99.78 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waterbury.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waterbury
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,965.98 | $8,519 | $102,231 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,179.59 | $5,112 | $61,339 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $786.39 | $3,408 | $40,892 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Waterbury) | $49.15 |
| 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 Waterbury, CT earn a median of $102,240 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.21% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 3.70% below the Connecticut state average of $106,168.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.15/hr = $61,339/year (purchasing power: $61,475).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,231/year (purchasing power: $102,458).
CoL index: 99.778 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.15/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Waterbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Waterbury grew 27.9% from $37.44/hr (2019) to $47.89/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.44/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 Waterbury 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 Waterbury
In Waterbury, part-time civil engineers can navigate earning potential effectively, as a 24-hour workweek allows them to maintain a decent income without the full commitment required of a standard 40-hour week. Per-diem civil engineers often enjoy greater flexibility, billing anywhere from $100 to $180 per hour, depending on their expertise and the nature of the projects. For instance, specialized professionals like forensic engineers can command rates exceeding $250 per hour. Hourly rates can also vary based on the type of employer; large engineering firms and Fortune 500 construction companies may offer competitive packages, while state and local government positions might include additional benefits such as health insurance, which can offset a lower hourly rate. When negotiating hourly pay in Waterbury, civil engineers should leverage knowledge about local market trends and emphasize their qualifications, including PE licensure, to secure favorable terms. The infrastructure spending resulting from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law indicates strong demand in the coming years, making now an opportune time for professionals in this field to reassess their compensation.
More salary data for Waterbury, 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 Waterbury. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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