Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Rochester, NY: $49.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Rochester, NY runs $49.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,076 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 97.0, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.58 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,249 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rochester, NY, civil engineers earn a median hourly pay of $49.08, which is slightly below the national median of $49.76. This figure presents an attractive opportunity for part-time professionals and those working on a per-diem basis. For instance, a civil engineer working three days a week could expect to earn around $54,000 annually, while per-diem civil engineers often command rates ranging from $100 to $180 per hour. The hourly pay spans a wide range, from $33.96 for entry-level roles to $73.65 for the most experienced engineers, reflecting the dynamic nature of the civil engineering field in the region. Official data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) confirms these hourly figures and highlights the variety of settings in which civil engineers operate, including consulting firm offices, construction site field offices, and various government facilities.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.96 | $271.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.95 | $311.58 |
| Median (P50) | $49.08 | $392.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.07 | $504.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73.65 | $589.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rochester
Based on $49.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.08/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rochester, NY can expect to earn approximately $102,082 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,893. With a cost-of-living index of 97.03 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rochester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rochester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,963.11 | $8,507 | $102,082 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,177.86 | $5,104 | $61,249 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $785.24 | $3,403 | $40,833 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Rochester) | $49.08 |
| 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, NY earn a median of $102,076 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.37% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.30% above the New York state average of $100,766.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.08/hr = $61,249/year (purchasing power: $63,120).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,082/year (purchasing power: $105,201).
CoL index: 97.035 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
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 | $40.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Rochester grew 17.9% from $40.55/hr (2019) to $47.82/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.37/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
When considering the earning potential in different employment situations, civil engineers in Rochester can leverage various scenarios for maximizing their income. A part-time civil engineer working 24 hours a week could make a substantial amount compared to full-timers, especially if they focus on specialties like structural or forensic engineering, where rates can exceed $250 per hour for expert consultancy. Additionally, hourly rates may significantly vary depending on the employer type—ranging from high-end engineering consulting firms to federal agencies and private developers—each providing distinct benefits and drawbacks. Some civil engineers opt for roles that offer lower hourly wages but include health insurance and retirement benefits, while others may prioritize higher hourly rates without these perks. For professionals negotiating pay, demonstrating both technical expertise and relevant certifications, such as a PE license, can significantly impact rates offered in Rochester’s competitive market. Understanding these dynamics is crucial as infrastructure investments, driven by recent legislation, create ongoing demand across sectors.
More salary data for Rochester, 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 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
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