Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Cumberland, RI: $47.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Cumberland, RI runs $47.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $98,989 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Cumberland's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $47.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,392 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Cumberland, Rhode Island, offers a civil engineer hourly rate of $47.59, which falls slightly below the national hourly median of $49.76. This difference can influence various work arrangements, especially for part-time or per-diem civil engineers, who often find positions in diverse settings like consulting offices equipped with advanced design software, construction site field offices, and government departments. For those working part-time at three days a week, the pay structure could allow for a better work-life balance while still securing a competitive income. With entry-level positions starting at $33.87 and top earners commanding up to $73.77, the hourly pay reflects both experience and the complexity of work being conducted.
About the Cumberland Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.87 | $270.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.42 | $307.40 |
| Median (P50) | $47.59 | $380.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60.92 | $487.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73.77 | $590.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cumberland
Based on $47.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.59/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cumberland, RI can expect to earn approximately $98,986 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,107. With a cost-of-living index of 100.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Cumberland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cumberland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,903.58 | $8,249 | $98,986 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,142.15 | $4,949 | $59,392 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $761.43 | $3,300 | $39,594 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Cumberland) | $47.59 |
| 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 Cumberland, RI earn a median of $98,989 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.35% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 4.80% below the Rhode Island state average of $103,980.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.59/hr = $59,392/year (purchasing power: $59,096).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $98,986/year (purchasing power: $98,494).
CoL index: 100.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$40.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.37/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Cumberland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.37/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Cumberland grew 15.8% from $40.03/hr (2019) to $46.37/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.84/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 Cumberland 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 Cumberland
Beyond regular employment, there is a growing trend among civil engineers in Cumberland to engage in per-diem work, with many professionals billing between $100 and $180 an hour. Experienced engineers involved in specialized tasks like structural analysis or expert witness services can demand fees upwards of $250 per hour. Moreover, the workplace environment plays a significant role in determining pay rates; engineers in robust consulting firms like AECOM or local public works departments might see varying compensation levels due to the type of projects undertaken and overall funding sources. While some civil engineers may opt for higher hourly rates without benefits, others prefer the stability that comes with traditional employment packages, underscoring the delicate balance between hourly pay and job security. Negotiation skills can be vital in this market, especially in a rapidly evolving field like civil engineering, where the upcoming infrastructure projects from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are set to impact future salaries and demand directly.
More salary data for Cumberland, RI:
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 Cumberland. 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 Cumberland 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