Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Rochester, NH: $51.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Rochester, NH runs $51.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $106,892 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Rochester's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.3, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $47.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $64,131 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rochester, New Hampshire, civil engineers can expect to earn a competitive median hourly pay of $51.39, which is higher than the national median of $49.76. This hourly rate positions Rochester as an attractive destination for both full-time professionals and part-time workers, particularly those seeking flexible arrangements such as per-diem contracts. Typically employed in environments including consulting firm offices equipped with CAD and Revit workstations, construction site field offices, and government departments, civil engineers in this area enjoy the versatility of their roles. With an hourly range from $37.52 for entry-level positions to $79.65 for top earners, engineers have significant potential to advance their careers while shaping local infrastructure projects.
About the Rochester Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.52 | $300.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.20 | $337.61 |
| Median (P50) | $51.39 | $411.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65.66 | $525.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79.65 | $637.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rochester
Based on $51.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.39/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rochester, NH can expect to earn approximately $106,885 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,664. With a cost-of-living index of 107.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Rochester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rochester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,055.47 | $8,907 | $106,885 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,233.28 | $5,344 | $64,131 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $822.19 | $3,563 | $42,754 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Rochester) | $51.39 |
| 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 Rochester, NH earn a median of $106,892 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.29% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 3.70% below the New Hampshire state average of $110,999.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.39/hr = $64,131/year (purchasing power: $59,768).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $106,885/year (purchasing power: $99,613).
CoL index: 107.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$43.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$50.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.72/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $50.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Rochester grew 15.8% from $43.23/hr (2019) to $50.07/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.74/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 Rochester 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 Rochester
Civil engineers working part-time in Rochester can see substantial earning potential, particularly if they opt to work three days a week. A typical part-time schedule of 24 hours would yield a gross annual income of around $65,000, while full-time roles offer the benefits of a more stable salary and possibly health insurance. For those considering freelancing or per-diem opportunities, rates can vary significantly; many 1099 civil engineers charge between $100 and $180 per hour, while specialized roles like structural or forensic engineering may command billing rates as high as $250-$500 per hour. It's essential to recognize that hourly rates can fluctuate greatly depending on the employer type—engineering consulting firms, Fortune 500 construction companies, and government agencies all have different compensation structures. Engineers might choose lower hourly rates with health benefits or opt for higher rates without. In Rochester, negotiating effectively by emphasizing unique qualifications, such as a PE license or specialized expertise, can lead to better salary outcomes for hourly workers in the civil engineering sector.
More salary data for Rochester, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for civil engineers in Rochester in 2026?
How much do part-time civil engineers make in Rochester?
Are civil engineers in Rochester paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time civil engineer make per year in Rochester?
Do civil engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Rochester?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Hampshire
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 Rochester. 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 Rochester 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