Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Towson, MD: $49.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Towson, MD runs $49.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,743 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Towson's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $45.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,646 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Towson, Maryland, civil engineers command a median hourly rate of $49.40, slightly lower than the national median of $49.76. This level of compensation reflects the value placed on civil engineers in various work environments. Part-time positions, typical for civil engineers who work three days per week, yield earnings of approximately $36,430 annually based on a 24-hour workweek. Hourly rates vary widely, from around $35.27 for entry-level positions to $76.56 for the top earners in the field. In Towson, civil engineers may find themselves in settings that include consulting firm offices equipped for computer-aided design work or on-site in construction field offices. The hourly pay for civil engineer roles is estimated from annual salary data, making it a crucial factor for those considering different career paths within the industry.
About the Towson 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) | $35.27 | $282.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.17 | $321.36 |
| Median (P50) | $49.40 | $395.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.23 | $505.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76.56 | $612.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Towson
Based on $49.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.40/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Towson, MD can expect to earn approximately $102,743 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,275. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Towson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Towson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,975.83 | $8,562 | $102,743 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,185.50 | $5,137 | $61,646 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $790.33 | $3,425 | $41,097 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Towson) | $49.40 |
| 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 Towson, MD earn a median of $102,743 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.72% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 9.20% below the Maryland state average of $113,153.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.40/hr = $61,646/year (purchasing power: $56,401).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,743/year (purchasing power: $94,001).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$41.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Towson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.27/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Towson grew 15.8% from $41.55/hr (2019) to $48.13/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.69/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 Towson 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 Towson
When it comes to per-diem civil engineer pay in Towson, professionals can see significantly higher bills for their services, often ranging from $100 to $180 per hour, depending on the complexity and specialization of their work. Notably, experienced structural or forensic engineers serving as expert witnesses can command rates of $250 to $500 per hour, which reflects the specialized knowledge and skills they offer. Hourly compensation can also differ based on the type of employer; for instance, engineering consulting firms, such as AECOM and Jacobs, may provide comprehensive benefits packages, potentially resulting in a lower hourly rate compared to construction giants like Bechtel or Fortune 500 companies, where higher pay may come without the same level of benefits. Civil engineers with a PE license often negotiate their rates based on the project requirements and their experience level, highlighting the trade-offs between hourly pay and health insurance benefits. Those seeking to negotiate successfully should consider local market rates and the likelihood of securing consistent work in both consulting and government sectors amid ongoing infrastructure initiatives.
More salary data for Towson, 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 Towson. 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 Towson 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