Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Bristol, VA: $44.17 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Bristol, VA runs $44.17 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $91,877 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Bristol's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $42.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $55,127 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bristol, Virginia, a civil engineer earns a median hourly rate of $44.17, which is notably lower than the national median of $49.76. This pay reflects the local market conditions and smaller scale of some projects in the region. For part-time civil engineers working three days a week, typically around 24 hours, this translates into a potential income of about $62,244 annually, which is viable particularly in environments like consulting firm offices, construction sites, and remote settings using CAD software. The hourly pay range for civil engineers in Bristol spans from $31.83 for entry-level positions to $67.48 for top earners, indicating a broad spectrum of opportunities depending on experience and project complexity.
About the Bristol 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) | $31.83 | $254.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.79 | $286.30 |
| Median (P50) | $44.17 | $353.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55.56 | $444.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67.48 | $539.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bristol
Based on $44.17/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.17/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bristol, VA can expect to earn approximately $91,878 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,006. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bristol.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bristol
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,766.88 | $7,656 | $91,878 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,060.13 | $4,594 | $55,127 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $706.75 | $3,063 | $36,751 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Bristol) | $44.17 |
| 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 Bristol, VA earn a median of $91,877 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.22% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 5.00% below the Virginia state average of $96,713.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.17/hr = $55,127/year (purchasing power: $53,417).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $91,878/year (purchasing power: $89,029).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$37.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.17/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.17/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.33/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Bristol grew 15.8% from $37.16/hr (2019) to $43.04/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.33/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 Bristol 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 Bristol
With the evolving demands in Bristol's civil engineering sector, part-time professionals can strategically balance their work-life commitments while still achieving substantial earnings. For instance, per diem civil engineers often charge between $100-$180 an hour, significantly outperforming the median hourly rate for salaried engineers and providing a more lucrative option for seasoned engineers seeking flexibility. Employees in larger engineering consulting firms or Fortune 500 construction companies may earn less hourly as they integrate benefits into their compensation packages, but they gain job security and health coverage. In a landscape influenced by infrastructure initiatives, engineers should consider these trade-offs carefully. Knowing the average pay range can help in negotiating better rates. Understanding the various employer types, from local public works to federal agencies, also offers opportunities to leverage experience into higher pay.
More salary data for Bristol, 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 Bristol. 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 Bristol 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