Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Delray Beach, FL: $48.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Delray Beach, FL runs $48.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $100,224 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Delray Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $47.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,135 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Civil engineers in Delray Beach, Florida, earn a median hourly rate of $48.18, which is slightly below the national median of $49.76. This hourly pay can significantly impact various work arrangements, allowing civil engineers to find flexible opportunities such as part-time positions or per-diem contracts that often lead to unpaid overtime or project-based work. In a typical week, a civil engineer working three days might earn around $1,400 before deductions. The hourly range for civil engineers in the area spans from $31.84 for entry-level positions to $74.68 for the most experienced professionals. These estimates are drawn from annual salary data and reflect the growing demand for engineering expertise in Delray Beach.
About the Delray Beach Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.84 | $254.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.09 | $312.73 |
| Median (P50) | $48.18 | $385.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60.87 | $486.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74.68 | $597.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Delray Beach
Based on $48.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.18/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Delray Beach, FL can expect to earn approximately $100,224 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,822. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Delray Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Delray Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,927.39 | $8,352 | $100,224 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,156.43 | $5,011 | $60,135 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $770.96 | $3,341 | $40,090 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Delray Beach) | $48.18 |
| 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 Delray Beach, FL earn a median of $100,224 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.16% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.30% above the Florida state average of $99,925.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.18/hr = $60,135/year (purchasing power: $59,657).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $100,224/year (purchasing power: $99,429).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$40.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Delray Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Delray Beach grew 15.8% from $40.53/hr (2019) to $46.95/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.45/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 Delray Beach 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 Delray Beach
A civil engineer working just three days a week in Delray Beach could take home approximately $72,472 annually, compared to the full-time average, highlighting the lucrative part-time opportunities available in the field. Those engaging in per-diem work often find themselves commanding rates between $100 and $180 per hour, with specialized roles such as expert witnesses earning even more—up to $500 per hour. Employment settings also affect hourly rates. For instance, engineers at top-tier consulting firms like AECOM or Jacobs may earn more than those in local government roles. Meanwhile, some civil engineers may choose to accept lower pay for the benefits of full-time work, such as health insurance, which is not typically available to contract or per diem workers. To maximize earning potential, clear communication during negotiations about pay and workload expectations is essential, especially in a competitive environment like Delray Beach.
More salary data for Delray Beach, FL:
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 Delray Beach. 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 Delray Beach 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