Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Morrisville, NC: $45.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Morrisville, NC runs $45.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $95,527 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Morrisville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,317 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Morrisville, North Carolina, can expect a median hourly pay of $45.93, which is notably lower than the national median of $49.76. This hourly rate is particularly relevant for those considering part-time employment or per-diem positions, where a civil engineer working three days a week can manage different professional environments, including consulting firms, construction sites, and local government offices. The hourly pay range in Morrisville extends from $31.48 for entry-level positions to $70.12 for top earners, illustrating a clear distinction in earnings based on experience and specialization. These figures are derived from annual salary estimates, emphasizing the importance of hourly compensation in practical scenarios, such as design reviews or remote plan-checking tasks.
About the Morrisville 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) | $31.48 | $251.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.24 | $289.91 |
| Median (P50) | $45.93 | $367.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57.27 | $458.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70.12 | $560.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Morrisville
Based on $45.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.93/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Morrisville, NC can expect to earn approximately $95,528 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,112. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Morrisville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Morrisville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,837.08 | $7,961 | $95,528 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,102.25 | $4,776 | $57,317 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $734.83 | $3,184 | $38,211 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Morrisville) | $45.93 |
| 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 Morrisville, NC earn a median of $95,527 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.70% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.50% below the North Carolina state average of $96,982.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.93/hr = $57,317/year (purchasing power: $61,236).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $95,528/year (purchasing power: $102,060).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Morrisville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Morrisville grew 15.8% from $38.63/hr (2019) to $44.75/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.13/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 Morrisville 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 Morrisville
For civil engineers considering part-time opportunities, working 24 hours a week can yield an annual income markedly lower than that of full-time positions, emphasizing a need for strategic career planning. Many professionals in this field choose to work as per-diem or contract engineers, with compensation ranging from $100 to $180 per hour, which significantly enhances their earning potential compared to standard hourly rates in Morrisville. Additionally, specialties such as structural or forensic engineering can command rates as high as $250 to $500 per hour for expert witness services or intricate consulting tasks, thus providing lucrative avenues. Employers vary widely in Morrisville, from engineering consulting firms like AECOM to state DOTs, offering different benefits that may affect hourly rates. Engineers often find themselves weighing the trade-off between accepting lower hourly compensation with health benefits or pursuing higher pay without them. Connecting with local industry contacts can provide valuable negotiation insights specific to the civil engineer hourly pay landscape in Morrisville, guiding professionals toward maximizing their earnings throughout their careers.
More salary data for Morrisville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for civil engineers in Morrisville in 2026?
How much do part-time civil engineers make in Morrisville?
Are civil engineers in Morrisville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time civil engineer make per year in Morrisville?
Do civil engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Morrisville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 Morrisville. 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 Morrisville 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