Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in West Warwick, RI: $49.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in West Warwick, RI 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 West Warwick's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,697 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Civil engineers in West Warwick, Rhode Island, can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $49.44 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $49.76. This pay aligns with typical workplace settings, including consulting firms and construction sites, which often require proficiency in software such as CAD, Revit, and AutoCAD. Entry-level civil engineers can anticipate hourly rates starting at approximately $34.15, while top earners can command as much as $75.78 per hour. This broad range reflects the varying levels of experience, specialization, and the nature of projects that civil engineers work on, from critical infrastructure to environmental assessment. It’s vital to remember that these hourly rates are derived from projected annual salary data, providing a useful framework for potential employees in this field.
About the West Warwick 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) | $34.15 | $273.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.19 | $313.56 |
| Median (P50) | $49.44 | $395.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.82 | $494.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75.78 | $606.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in West Warwick
Based on $49.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.44/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in West Warwick, RI 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 100.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in West Warwick.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in West Warwick
| 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 (West Warwick) | $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 West Warwick, RI earn a median of $102,822 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.65% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.10% below the Rhode Island state average of $103,966.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.44/hr = $61,697/year (purchasing power: $61,390).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,829/year (purchasing power: $102,317).
CoL index: 100.5 (100 = national average).
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 West Warwick (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 | $46.81/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 West Warwick 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 West Warwick 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 West Warwick
Considering part-time roles, a civil engineer working three days a week for 24 hours would make a substantial income, yet still fall short of the full-time earning potential that comes from a standard 40-hour workweek. Per-diem civil engineers in West Warwick often realize higher hourly compensation, typically billing between $100 and $180, depending on their expertise and the complexity of the tasks they cover. Moreover, specialty roles such as structural experts or forensic engineers can see billable rates soar to between $250 and $500 per hour. Employment type plays a significant role in compensation; civil engineers in consulting firms such as AECOM or WSP might earn less hourly compared to their counterparts in Fortune 500 construction firms or governmental agencies. Some professionals may choose positions with lower pay but accompanying health benefits. When negotiating wages, engineers should consider the full compensation package, including benefits, and leverage their PE license for higher pay opportunities in competitive markets like West Warwick, particularly in light of the ongoing infrastructure initiatives spurred by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for West Warwick, 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 West Warwick. 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 West Warwick 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