Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in New Bedford, MA: $50.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in New Bedford, MA runs $50.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,729 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against New Bedford's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $46.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,837 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In New Bedford, the civil engineer hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $50.35 in 2026, which slightly exceeds the national median of $49.76. This hourly rate positions civil engineers favorably, especially for part-time workers seeking opportunities to balance their professional lives. For instance, a civil engineer working three days a week would log around 24 hours, allowing for greater flexibility without sacrificing too much income. Such professionals often find themselves in diverse environments, from consulting firm offices equipped with CAD or Revit workstations to construction site field offices or government DOT locations. The hourly wages for civil engineers in New Bedford range from $35.36 at the entry level to $78.04 for those in the top percentile, reflecting the disparity in experience and job responsibilities commonly seen across the industry.
About the New Bedford Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.36 | $282.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.62 | $324.97 |
| Median (P50) | $50.35 | $402.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64.34 | $514.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.04 | $624.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in New Bedford
Based on $50.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.35/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in New Bedford, MA can expect to earn approximately $104,729 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,420. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in New Bedford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in New Bedford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,014.01 | $8,727 | $104,729 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,208.41 | $5,236 | $62,837 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $805.60 | $3,491 | $41,891 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (New Bedford) | $50.35 |
| 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 New Bedford, MA earn a median of $104,729 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.20% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 0.70% above the Massachusetts state average of $104,001.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.35/hr = $62,837/year (purchasing power: $57,914).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,729/year (purchasing power: $96,524).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$42.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in New Bedford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $62.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in New Bedford grew 15.8% from $42.36/hr (2019) to $49.06/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.67/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 New Bedford 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 New Bedford
Part-time civil engineers in New Bedford realistically earn $57,780 annually if working 24 hours a week, which still provides significant financial compensation compared to other professions in the area. Many professionals opt for per-diem arrangements, commonly billing between $100 to $180 per hour when contracted. Experienced structural engineers may command even higher fees, with expert witness roles ranging from $250 to $500 an hour. In New Bedford, hourly rates differ by employer type; high-end engineering consulting firms, such as AECOM and Jacobs, typically offer more competitive compensation than local public works departments or smaller firms. Civil engineers must weigh the advantage of higher hourly pay against benefits like health insurance provided by larger companies. Negotiation is key in this market. When discussing pay, it’s beneficial to emphasize unique skills or specialized knowledge in infrastructure, potentially improving compensation packages in this growing field driven by the recent Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for New Bedford, MA:
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 New Bedford. 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 New Bedford 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