Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Alexandria, VA: $49.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Alexandria, VA runs $49.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,575 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Alexandria's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $48.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,146 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Alexandria, Virginia, civil engineers earn a median hourly rate of $49.80, slightly surpassing the national median of $49.76. This competitive pay reflects the region's robust demand for civil engineering skills, particularly in consulting, where professionals often work in well-equipped environments such as offices with CAD and Revit workstations, or in hybrid settings conducting plan checks remotely. The hourly pay spectrum ranges significantly; entry-level positions start at around $34.46, while experienced engineers can command rates as high as $77.19, offering attractive opportunities for part-time work or per-diem positions. This flexibility allows civil engineers to adjust their schedules to accommodate personal commitments while still reaping financial benefits.
About the Alexandria Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.46 | $275.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.83 | $318.65 |
| Median (P50) | $49.80 | $398.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.74 | $509.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77.19 | $617.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Alexandria
Based on $49.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.80/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Alexandria, VA can expect to earn approximately $103,576 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,755. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Alexandria.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Alexandria
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,991.84 | $8,631 | $103,576 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,195.11 | $5,179 | $62,146 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $796.74 | $3,453 | $41,430 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Alexandria) | $49.80 |
| 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 Alexandria, VA earn a median of $103,575 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.08% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 7.10% above the Virginia state average of $96,709.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.80/hr = $62,146/year (purchasing power: $60,219).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,576/year (purchasing power: $100,364).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$41.89/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.52/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Alexandria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.89/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.52/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Alexandria grew 15.8% from $41.89/hr (2019) to $48.52/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.11/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 Alexandria 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 Alexandria
Considering a part-time schedule, a civil engineer working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) could take home around $62,186 annually, a fraction of a full-time engineer's earnings. However, the allure of higher hourly rates drives many to pursue per-diem roles, where billing flexibility allows some civil engineers to earn between $100 and $180 per hour, particularly in specialized fields such as geotechnical engineering or structural assessments. Agencies may also recruit for 1099 contracts, which lets highly experienced engineers leverage their credentials for advanced rates exceeding $250 per hour in unique cases, such as expert witness engagements. Understanding that benefits often shape pay decisions, engineers in Alexandria should weigh the trade-offs between working at larger firms, which may provide comprehensive health care, versus consulting positions that typically offer higher pay but lack stability. Negotiating hourly rates in Alexandria’s diverse employment landscape requires a keen awareness of market rates and the specific needs of potential employers, be they state DOTs, Fortune 500 construction companies, or smaller local consulting firms.
More salary data for Alexandria, VA:
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 Alexandria. 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 Alexandria 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