Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Silver Spring, MD: $53.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Silver Spring, MD runs $53.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $110,226 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Silver Spring's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $48.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $66,142 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Silver Spring, MD, the civil engineer hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $53.00 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national median hourly rate of $49.76. For civil engineers working part-time, such as those on a three-day-a-week schedule, this hourly rate translates to a substantial income while allowing for flexible work arrangements, common in consulting firms where advanced software like CAD and Revit are integral to project workflows. The hourly wages for civil engineers in the area range from $36.84 at the 10th percentile for entry-level positions to $82.13 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the significant earning potential for higher-skilled roles, particularly in environments that demand specialized knowledge or experience.
About the Silver Spring Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.84 | $294.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.35 | $338.76 |
| Median (P50) | $53.00 | $423.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.83 | $542.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82.13 | $657.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Silver Spring
Based on $53.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $53.00/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Silver Spring, MD can expect to earn approximately $110,236 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $63,598. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Silver Spring.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Silver Spring
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,119.93 | $9,186 | $110,236 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,271.96 | $5,512 | $66,142 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $847.97 | $3,675 | $44,094 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Silver Spring) | $53.00 |
| 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 Silver Spring, MD earn a median of $110,226 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.51% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 2.60% below the Maryland state average of $113,168.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $53.00/hr = $66,142/year (purchasing power: $60,514).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $110,236/year (purchasing power: $100,856).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$44.58/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$51.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$53.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Silver Spring (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.58/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $51.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Silver Spring grew 15.8% from $44.58/hr (2019) to $51.64/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $54.39/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 Silver Spring 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 Silver Spring
Examining the earning potential for part-time civil engineers reveals that working a typical 24-hour week can yield approximately $66,384 annually, while full-time professionals may earn considerably more. Per-diem civil engineer pay in Silver Spring often exceeds $100 per hour, reflecting the greater flexibility and independence of 1099 positions. More experienced civil engineers, especially those with specialties such as structural or forensic engineering, can command rates between $250 and $500 per hour when acting as expert witnesses. Employers in Silver Spring, including prominent engineering firms and government agencies, often offer differing hourly rates based on benefits and job responsibilities. Consequently, civil engineers may choose between lower hourly rates with health insurance benefits or higher rates in roles without them. Negotiating for favorable terms can be advantageous, especially in a competitive market shaped by infrastructure investments under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for Silver Spring, MD:
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 Silver Spring. 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 Silver Spring 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