Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Gastonia, NC: $49.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Gastonia, NC runs $49.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,822 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Gastonia's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,697 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in Gastonia, North Carolina, earn a median hourly pay of $49.44, which positions them slightly below the national median hourly rate of $49.76. This wage reflects the potential for diverse working arrangements; civil engineers in this region can find employment in various settings such as consulting offices equipped with CAD / Revit / AutoCAD workstations, construction field offices, and government DOT locations. For part-time civil engineers working three days a week, the hourly rate indicates a promising income. They can expect to earn between $33.88 at entry-level positions to $76.62 for experienced professionals. The estimated hourly rates presented for this profession are derived from annual salary data, emphasizing the financial viability of a career in civil engineering within Gastonia.
About the Gastonia Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.88 | $271.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.16 | $313.31 |
| Median (P50) | $49.44 | $395.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.27 | $506.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76.62 | $612.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gastonia
Based on $49.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.44/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gastonia, NC can expect to earn approximately $102,829 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,324. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gastonia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gastonia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,977.47 | $8,569 | $102,829 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,186.48 | $5,141 | $61,697 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $790.99 | $3,428 | $41,131 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Gastonia) | $49.44 |
| 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 Gastonia, NC earn a median of $102,822 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.65% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 6.10% above the North Carolina state average of $96,910.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.44/hr = $61,697/year (purchasing power: $65,916).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,829/year (purchasing power: $109,860).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Gastonia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.59/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Gastonia grew 15.8% from $41.59/hr (2019) to $48.17/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.74/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 Gastonia 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 Gastonia
Examining part-time earnings, a civil engineer working a 3-day week for 24 hours would generate about $61,177 annually, a solid income compared to many professions. However, those engaged in per diem roles often experience a different financial dynamic. The flexibility of per diem civil engineer pay in Gastonia can range dramatically, with 1099 PE-licensed engineers billing anywhere from $100 to $180 per hour, while specialized roles, such as expert witnesses in structural or forensic engineering, can command rates between $250 and $500 per hour. The hourly pay among various employers, from engineering firms like AECOM and Jacobs to government entities and private developers, can also fluctuate based on benefits provided. Engineers must weigh the higher hourly rates that may come with limited benefits against the stability offered by full-time positions. Negotiating favorable terms based on these variances is crucial for maximizing earning potential, ensuring that civil engineers in Gastonia can achieve their financial objectives.
More salary data for Gastonia, NC:
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 Gastonia. 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 Gastonia 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