Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in El Paso, TX: $39.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in El Paso, TX runs $39.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,170 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against El Paso's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.9, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,710 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In El Paso, Texas, civil engineers earn a median hourly pay of $39.03, which is notably below the national median of $49.76. For civil engineers working part-time, such as those in consulting firms or construction sites, this translates to approximately $31,170 annually if working three days a week. The hourly pay range for civil engineers in El Paso varies widely, from $29.45 for entry-level positions to $62.39 for seasoned professionals, reflecting their expertise in utilizing tools like CAD, Revit, and AutoCAD. This data, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, provides critical insights for those considering this career path in a region where infrastructure development is on the rise due to initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.45 | $235.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.07 | $264.54 |
| Median (P50) | $39.03 | $312.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.83 | $406.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.39 | $499.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in El Paso
Based on $39.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.03/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in El Paso, TX can expect to earn approximately $81,183 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,836. With a cost-of-living index of 89.91 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in El Paso.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in El Paso
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,561.21 | $6,765 | $81,183 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $936.72 | $4,059 | $48,710 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $624.48 | $2,706 | $32,473 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (El Paso) | $39.03 |
| 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 El Paso, TX earn a median of $81,170 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.57% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 3.40% below the Texas state average of $84,027.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.03/hr = $48,710/year (purchasing power: $54,175).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,183/year (purchasing power: $90,291).
CoL index: 89.912 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in El Paso (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in El Paso grew 23.2% from $30.88/hr (2019) to $38.03/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.06/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 El Paso 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 El Paso
Analyzing the situation for civil engineers reveals a nuanced earning potential. A professional working part-time at 24 hours a week could realize their annual earnings, providing flexibility while receiving a decent wage. On the other hand, per diem civil engineer pay in El Paso typically ranges higher, with specialists billing between $100 to $180 per hour. Those with in-demand skills, such as forensic engineering, may command even greater rates, reaching up to $500 per hour. The variation in hourly rates can depend largely on the type of employer; engineering consulting firms, construction companies, state departments, and federal agencies all approach compensation differently, based on their specific budgets and needs. Some civil engineers may opt for lower hourly pay in exchange for health benefits, which are often lacking in 1099 or contract positions. For those looking to negotiate their pay in a competitive market, understanding the specific demands of local employers can be beneficial. Assessing the balance between hourly wages and benefits is crucial for making informed career choices in El Paso's civil engineering sector.
More salary data for El Paso, TX:
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 El Paso. 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