Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Chesapeake, VA: $46.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Chesapeake, VA runs $46.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $97,547 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Chesapeake's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $45.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,534 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chesapeake, Virginia, civil engineer hourly pay is projected to average around $46.90 for 2026, which is slightly lower than the national hourly median of $49.76. This hourly rate offers distinct opportunities for part-time roles, especially for those working three days a week or as per-diem professionals. Many civil engineers in Chesapeake are likely to find themselves in settings such as consulting firm offices equipped with CAD, Revit, and AutoCAD software, or working in construction site field offices. The hourly range here spans from $28.88 for entry-level positions to $72.69 for seasoned veterans. It’s important to factor that these hourly figures are estimated based on annual salary data, providing a foundational understanding of compensation for civil engineers operating within this market.
About the Chesapeake 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) | $28.88 | $231.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.64 | $301.16 |
| Median (P50) | $46.90 | $375.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60.03 | $480.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72.69 | $581.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chesapeake
Based on $46.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.90/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chesapeake, VA can expect to earn approximately $97,556 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,282. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chesapeake.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chesapeake
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,876.08 | $8,130 | $97,556 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,125.65 | $4,878 | $58,534 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $750.43 | $3,252 | $39,022 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Chesapeake) | $46.90 |
| 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 Chesapeake, VA earn a median of $97,547 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.74% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.90% above the Virginia state average of $96,677.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.90/hr = $58,534/year (purchasing power: $56,719).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $97,556/year (purchasing power: $94,531).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$39.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Chesapeake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Chesapeake grew 15.8% from $39.45/hr (2019) to $45.70/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.14/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 Chesapeake 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 Chesapeake
Analyzing the financial outcomes reveals that a civil engineer working part-time for 24 hours a week would take home significantly less than a full-time counterpart, which can affect overall earnings and benefits. Per-diem civil engineers in Chesapeake, on the other hand, tend to earn higher rates, often billing between $100 and $180 an hour, with specialized professionals in structural or forensic engineering commanding fees that can reach $250 to $500 per hour. Hourly rates can vary across employer types in the area; large engineering firms like AECOM or Jacobs may offer different compensation packages compared to local public works departments or federal agencies. While higher hourly pay can be tempting, some engineers choose positions with lower rates for the stability and benefits they provide—like health insurance and retirement plans. Additionally, when determining what rate to accept, negotiating based on local market dynamics and responsibilities is critical for hourly workers in Virginia's civil engineering field.
More salary data for Chesapeake, 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 Chesapeake. 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 Chesapeake 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