Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Staunton, VA: $48.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Staunton, VA runs $48.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $100,095 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Staunton's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.1, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.81 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,058 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Staunton, Virginia, civil engineers earn a median hourly rate of $48.12, which is slightly lower than the national median of $49.76. This rate is notable for part-time professionals, particularly those working three days a week, as it provides a solid income while allowing flexibility in scheduling. With per-diem roles increasingly common, civil engineers can expect to engage in various environments, including consulting firm offices and construction site field offices. At the entry level, hourly wages start at around $33.57, with top earners—those with specialized experience or advanced credentials—commanding up to $68.70 per hour. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting the local job market's current dynamics.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.57 | $268.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.23 | $305.84 |
| Median (P50) | $48.12 | $384.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.90 | $455.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68.70 | $549.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Staunton
Based on $48.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.12/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Staunton, VA can expect to earn approximately $100,096 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,748. With a cost-of-living index of 91.13 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Staunton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Staunton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,924.93 | $8,341 | $100,096 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,154.96 | $5,005 | $60,058 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $769.97 | $3,337 | $40,039 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Staunton) | $48.12 |
| 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 Staunton, VA earn a median of $100,095 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.28% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 3.50% above the Virginia state average of $96,710.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.12/hr = $60,058/year (purchasing power: $65,905).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $100,096/year (purchasing power: $109,841).
CoL index: 91.128 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Staunton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Staunton grew 27.6% from $36.76/hr (2019) to $46.89/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.39/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 Staunton 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 Staunton
Considering the earning potential in Staunton, a civil engineer working part-time, say 24 hours a week, could earn around $54,049 annually, a substantial income for many. The landscape for per-diem civil engineer pay in Staunton often sees professionals billing between $100 and $180 hourly. Highly experienced engineers may even command rates of $250 to $500 per hour, particularly in expert witness roles or specialized consulting tasks. The variation in hourly rates is influenced by the type of employer; larger engineering firms and Fortune 500 construction companies tend to offer higher pay than local public works departments or smaller firms. Additionally, engineers sometimes face a trade-off between higher hourly rates without benefits and lower rates that include health insurance. When negotiating, it is wise to consider the full compensation package, including ancillary benefits, which can significantly impact overall satisfaction and financial stability.
More salary data for Staunton, 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 Staunton. 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