Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Raleigh, NC: $50.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Raleigh, NC runs $50.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,108 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Raleigh's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.2, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,466 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Raleigh, North Carolina, civil engineers earn a median hourly rate of $50.05, which is slightly higher than the national median of $49.76. This competitive hourly pay opens opportunities for those seeking part-time or per-diem work, especially in settings that include consulting firm offices, government DOT offices, and construction site field offices. For civil engineers working three days a week, or those considering per-diem positions, this hourly rate translates into substantial earnings while maintaining flexible work schedules. The hourly range extends from entry-level positions starting at approximately $36.60 to top earners who can command as much as $80.78, reflecting the broad spectrum of skills and experience within the profession. These figures are sourced from the projected 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.60 | $292.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.39 | $315.12 |
| Median (P50) | $50.05 | $400.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.80 | $502.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80.78 | $646.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Raleigh
Based on $50.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.05/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Raleigh, NC can expect to earn approximately $104,110 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,063. With a cost-of-living index of 98.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Raleigh.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Raleigh
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,002.11 | $8,676 | $104,110 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,201.26 | $5,205 | $62,466 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $800.84 | $3,470 | $41,644 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Raleigh) | $50.05 |
| 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 Raleigh, NC earn a median of $104,108 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.60% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 7.40% above the North Carolina state average of $96,935.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.05/hr = $62,466/year (purchasing power: $63,639).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,110/year (purchasing power: $106,064).
CoL index: 98.157 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.34/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Raleigh grew 17.1% from $41.66/hr (2019) to $48.77/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.37/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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh
For those considering part-time roles, working three days a week typically yields an annual income of around $62,424, in contrast to a full-time engineer’s salary, potentially exceeding $104,108, depending on the number of hours worked and the specific employer. Per-diem civil engineers, often on a 1099 basis, can bill substantially more, ranging from $100 to $180 per hour, with specialized consultants or expert witnesses in high-demand fields earning between $250 and $500 per hour. In Raleigh, adjunct hourly rates vary significantly across employer types; engineering consulting firms, state and local public works departments, and Fortune 500 construction companies each have distinct pay scales. Some engineers may opt for slightly lower hourly wages at consulting firms offering health benefits, while others prefer higher rates without benefits, showcasing a diversity in compensation packages. Negotiating a favorable hourly rate in Raleigh often requires assessing both the immediate financial return and the long-term career growth opportunities available in this ever-evolving field.
More salary data for Raleigh, 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 Raleigh. 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