Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Covington, WA: $49.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Covington, WA runs $49.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,850 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Covington's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $46.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,312 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Covington, Washington, civil engineers earn a median hourly rate of $49.93, slightly higher than the national median of $49.76. This hourly wage represents opportunities for various work arrangements, including part-time positions and per-diem work, common in consulting firms, construction sites, and government offices. Part-time civil engineers, working around three days a week, can still see significant earnings with their skill set, while the hourly range varies from $33.90 for entry-level roles up to $76.97 for top earners in the area. It’s essential for those considering a career in civil engineering to understand that these hourly figures are an estimation based on annual salary data, reflecting the demand for professionals in this growing field.
About the Covington Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.90 | $271.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.91 | $327.27 |
| Median (P50) | $49.93 | $399.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.24 | $505.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76.97 | $615.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Covington
Based on $49.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.93/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Covington, WA can expect to earn approximately $103,853 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,915. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Covington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Covington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,997.18 | $8,654 | $103,853 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,198.31 | $5,193 | $62,312 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $798.87 | $3,462 | $41,541 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Covington) | $49.93 |
| 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 Covington, WA earn a median of $103,850 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.35% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 6.10% below the Washington state average of $110,597.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.93/hr = $62,312/year (purchasing power: $58,019).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,853/year (purchasing power: $96,698).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$42.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Covington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Covington grew 15.8% from $42.00/hr (2019) to $48.65/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.24/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 Covington 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 Covington
For those who prefer a part-time schedule, working just three days a week, a civil engineer in Covington could expect to take home around $62,181 annually, which is considerably less than what full-time engineers earn. Per-diem civil engineers, billing between $100 and $180 an hour, can offer flexibility that allows for diversified experiences across various projects. Additionally, experienced professionals, especially in structural or forensic roles, can command rates as high as $250 to $500 per hour, reflecting the high stakes involved in their specialized expertise. Salary variations across employer types in Covington—ranging from engineering consulting giants like AECOM and Jacobs to local public works departments—also play a significant role in determining pay rates. The trade-off between higher hourly rates without benefits and lower rates with health insurance options is a critical factor engineers weigh as they negotiate their compensation. For those working in agencies or as independent contractors, understanding local market conditions can enhance negotiation strategies and overall earning potential in the Covington area.
More salary data for Covington, WA:
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 Covington. 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 Covington 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