Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Clifton, NJ: $56.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Clifton, NJ runs $56.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $117,016 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Clifton's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $48.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $70,215 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in Clifton, NJ, earn a median hourly pay of $56.26, which is notably higher than the national median hourly rate of $49.76. This advantage means that part-time civil engineers working three days a week could earn a substantial income, with many engaged in office roles utilizing CAD, Revit, or AutoCAD for design projects. For those seeking flexibility, per-diem positions are an attractive option. In Clifton, hourly rates span from $39.75 for entry-level positions to an impressive $87.19 for highly experienced professionals. These figures reflect broader patterns derived from annual salary data, illustrating the potential for a lucrative career in civil engineering in this vibrant city.
About the Clifton Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.75 | $317.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.43 | $363.47 |
| Median (P50) | $56.26 | $450.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70.77 | $566.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87.19 | $697.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Clifton
Based on $56.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $56.26/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Clifton, NJ can expect to earn approximately $117,024 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $67,514. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Clifton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Clifton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,250.47 | $9,752 | $117,024 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,350.28 | $5,851 | $70,215 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $900.19 | $3,901 | $46,810 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Clifton) | $56.26 |
| 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 Clifton, NJ earn a median of $117,016 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.07% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 1.90% below the New Jersey state average of $119,282.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $56.26/hr = $70,215/year (purchasing power: $60,950).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $117,024/year (purchasing power: $101,584).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$47.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$54.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$56.26/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Clifton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $62.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $54.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Clifton grew 15.8% from $47.33/hr (2019) to $54.82/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $57.74/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 Clifton 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 Clifton
Part-time civil engineers working 24 hours a week have the potential to take home around $70,000 annually, a figure that highlights the lucrative prospects of hourly compensation against a full-time salary. Many professionals in Clifton opt for per-diem or contracting work, charging between $100 and $180 per hour, while those with specialized expertise may bill even higher rates when acting as consultants for structural or forensic investigations. Salary expectations can also differ across various employer types, such as engineering consulting firms, construction giants, and government organizations, which may offer benefits packages that permit slight compromises in hourly pay. Negotiating for better rates can be crucial; those seeking higher hourly wages may find more success with firms that do not provide benefits, while others may need to balance lower pay against health and retirement offerings. Understanding these dynamics is essential for both negotiating salaries and planning long-term career paths in Clifton’s thriving civil engineering scene.
More salary data for Clifton, NJ:
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 Clifton. 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 Clifton 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