Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Chester, PA: $45.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Chester, PA runs $45.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $94,253 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Chester's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $56,548 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chester, Pennsylvania, the civil engineer hourly pay is projected to be $45.31, a figure that falls below the national median hourly rate of $49.76. This discrepancy is significant for professionals in the area, especially those considering part-time opportunities or per-diem work. For instance, a civil engineer working three days a week for a total of 24 hours may realistically take home a comfortable income, often engaging in tasks at consulting firms equipped with CAD or Revit workstations or managing projects on-site at construction field offices. The hourly pay ranges from $33.37 for entry-level positions to as much as $69.19 for top earners, allowing for varying levels of experience to dictate earning potential. These figures, estimated from annual salary data, reflect the industry's expectations in Chester, indicating both opportunities and challenges for professionals in this field.
About the Chester Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.37 | $266.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.42 | $299.35 |
| Median (P50) | $45.31 | $362.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.41 | $451.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69.19 | $553.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chester
Based on $45.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.31/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chester, PA can expect to earn approximately $94,247 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,373. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,812.45 | $7,854 | $94,247 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,087.47 | $4,712 | $56,548 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $724.98 | $3,142 | $37,699 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Chester) | $45.31 |
| 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 Chester, PA earn a median of $94,253 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.93% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 3.40% below the Pennsylvania state average of $97,571.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.31/hr = $56,548/year (purchasing power: $58,058).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $94,247/year (purchasing power: $96,763).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Chester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Chester grew 15.8% from $38.12/hr (2019) to $44.15/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.50/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 Chester 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 Chester
When analyzing the earning potential, part-time civil engineers in Chester can realize significant annual income, especially compared to full-time counterparts. Those working on a per-diem basis often have access to higher billable rates, typically ranging from $100 to $180 per hour, with specialized roles, such as structural or forensic engineering consultants, commanding rates up to $500 per hour. This disparity indicates that professional trajectory and specialization can greatly influence earnings. Job placement within various organizational types—consulting giants like AECOM and Jacobs, large construction firms, or government agencies—also affects compensation structures. Various employers offer differing benefits, leading some civil engineers to accept lower hourly rates for comprehensive health insurance over higher pay without benefits. Negotiating for a competitive hourly rate tailored to Chester's market dynamics is crucial; professionals are advised to leverage their credentials, including EIT or PE licensing, to secure optimal compensation while considering the trade-offs of contract versus full-time employment.
More salary data for Chester, PA:
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 Chester. 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 Chester 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