Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Rahway, NJ: $54.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Rahway, NJ runs $54.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $112,783 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Rahway's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $47.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $67,666 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Rahway, New Jersey, the civil engineer hourly pay is projected to reach $54.22 in 2026, which represents a competitive advantage over the national hourly median of $49.76. This rate not only reflects the local demand for civil engineering talent but also accommodates various working arrangements, such as part-time or per-diem positions. Civil engineers working three days a week typically engage in tasks at consulting firm offices equipped with CAD, Revit, and AutoCAD workstations or oversee projects from construction site field offices. The hourly wage offers a spectrum from entry-level positions earning around $37.99 to top-tier professionals pulling in as much as $84.04. These figures present a clear picture of how the local job market for civil engineers is shaped by both the growing demand for infrastructure work and the presence of numerous consulting firms and government offices in and around Rahway, NJ.
About the Rahway 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) | $37.99 | $303.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.39 | $347.14 |
| Median (P50) | $54.22 | $433.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69.37 | $554.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84.04 | $672.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rahway
Based on $54.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $54.22/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rahway, NJ can expect to earn approximately $112,776 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $65,063. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Rahway.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rahway
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,168.78 | $9,398 | $112,776 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,301.27 | $5,639 | $67,666 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $867.51 | $3,759 | $45,111 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Rahway) | $54.22 |
| 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 Rahway, NJ earn a median of $112,783 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.98% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 5.40% below the New Jersey state average of $119,221.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $54.22/hr = $67,666/year (purchasing power: $58,738).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $112,776/year (purchasing power: $97,896).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$45.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$52.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$54.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Rahway (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $60.25/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $52.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Rahway grew 15.8% from $45.61/hr (2019) to $52.83/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $55.65/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 Rahway 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 Rahway
Evaluating the hourly earning potential for civil engineers reveals interesting insights about part-time and per-diem arrangements. A civil engineer working 24 hours a week would potentially earn about $67,056 annually, compared to a full-time counterpart whose income could be substantially higher. For freelance roles or short-term projects, per-diem civil engineers in Rahway often bill rates ranging from $100 to $180 per hour, with specialized roles such as structural engineers or expert witnesses demanding even higher rates, often between $250 and $500. Varied employer types play a significant role in these differences; engineering consulting firms and Fortune 500 construction companies typically offer structured pay scales, while state DOTs and local public works can vary significantly in compensation. Many civil engineers accept lower hourly rates through larger firms in exchange for benefits like health insurance, while others may prefer the flexibility afforded by higher pay on a contract basis. It's crucial for professionals in Rahway to understand these dynamics to negotiate effectively based on their needs and desired benfits.
More salary data for Rahway, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for civil engineers in Rahway in 2026?
How much do part-time civil engineers make in Rahway?
Are civil engineers in Rahway paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time civil engineer make per year in Rahway?
Do civil engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Rahway?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Jersey
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 Rahway. 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 Rahway 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