Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Elmira, NY: $45.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Elmira, NY runs $45.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $93,773 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Elmira's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $56,267 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Elmira, NY, civil engineers earn a median hourly rate of $45.09, which is notably lower than the national median of $49.76 per hour. This difference reflects the local market conditions and the cost of living index, which stands at 94.398, indicating that Elmira is slightly below the national average. For part-time and per-diem workers, such as those employed three days a week in various settings like consulting firm offices, construction sites, and government offices, this hourly rate translates into a stable income source. The hourly range for civil engineers spans from $33.76 for less experienced professionals to $66.96 for those at the top end of their careers. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.76 | $270.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.96 | $327.68 |
| Median (P50) | $45.09 | $360.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.13 | $409.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66.96 | $535.65 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elmira
Based on $45.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.09/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elmira, NY can expect to earn approximately $93,778 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,102. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elmira.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elmira
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,803.41 | $7,815 | $93,778 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,082.05 | $4,689 | $56,267 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $721.37 | $3,126 | $37,511 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Elmira) | $45.09 |
| 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 Elmira, NY earn a median of $93,773 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.39% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 6.90% below the New York state average of $100,723.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.09/hr = $56,267/year (purchasing power: $59,606).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $93,778/year (purchasing power: $99,343).
CoL index: 94.398 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Elmira (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Elmira grew 20.6% from $36.42/hr (2019) to $43.93/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.27/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 Elmira 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 Elmira
Civil engineers in Elmira have solid opportunities for flexible working arrangements, particularly at a part-time scale. A civil engineer working just 24 hours a week can expect to take home around $56,000 per year, which provides a comfortable income for those who prefer a balanced lifestyle. Per diem civil engineer pay in Elmira can vary significantly; those in agency positions may bill anywhere from $100 to $180 per hour, while specialized roles, like forensic engineering or geotechnical consulting, can achieve rates from $150 to $250 per hour. Employers such as local engineering firms, Fortune 500 construction companies, and government agencies all influence hourly pay scales. Many engineers might choose a lower hourly rate with a stable employer in exchange for health benefits and a more predictable schedule, while others may negotiate for higher pay with less job security. Hence, effective negotiation skills are vital in Elmira's engineering market, especially for those seeking either full-time roles or per-diem opportunities with higher billing rates.
More salary data for Elmira, NY:
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 Elmira. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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