Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Union City, NJ: $56.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Union City, NJ runs $56.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $117,582 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Union City's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $70,548 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median hourly pay of $56.53 in Union City, New Jersey, civil engineers surpass the national median hourly figure of $49.76 by approximately 13.61%. This level of compensation reflects not only the demand for their expertise but also the elevated cost of living in the area, which indexes at 115.2. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, the opportunity to earn a stable income is significant, as many positions may involve working in consulting firms equipped with advanced tools like CAD and Revit. The hourly rate range in Union City varies widely, from $40.37 for entry-level engineers to $87.63 for top earners, indicating a vibrant job market where experience and specialization can lead to substantial financial rewards.
About the Union City 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) | $40.37 | $323.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.98 | $367.83 |
| Median (P50) | $56.53 | $452.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72.35 | $578.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87.63 | $701.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Union City
Based on $56.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $56.53/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Union City, NJ can expect to earn approximately $117,579 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $67,834. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Union City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Union City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,261.14 | $9,798 | $117,579 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,356.69 | $5,879 | $70,548 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $904.46 | $3,919 | $47,032 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Union City) | $56.53 |
| 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 Union City, NJ earn a median of $117,582 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.61% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 1.40% below the New Jersey state average of $119,252.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $56.53/hr = $70,548/year (purchasing power: $61,239).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $117,579/year (purchasing power: $102,066).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$47.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$55.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$56.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Union City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $62.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $55.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Union City grew 15.8% from $47.55/hr (2019) to $55.08/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $58.02/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 Union City 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 Union City
Considering part-time employment for civil engineers, working 24 hours a week could translate into an annual income that positions them favorably compared to full-time counterparts, although benefits may differ. Per-diem positions often allow for even higher earnings, with civil engineers on a 1099 basis frequently billing $100-$180 per hour, depending on their area of expertise. This higher billing rate is especially lucrative for specialized roles like forensic engineering or geotechnical consulting, where qualified professionals can command $150-$250 per hour, or even $250-$500 for expert witness testimony. In Union City, hourly pay can fluctuate based on the employer type, with large engineering firms or Fortune 500 construction companies offering competitive rates but often balancing lower hourly wages with health benefits. Negotiating terms, including hourly rates versus benefits, is critical for workers in this field, especially given the diverse employment opportunities available.
More salary data for Union City, 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 Union City. 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 Union City 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