Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Seattle, WA: $57.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Seattle, WA runs $57.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $119,543 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Seattle's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.1, 11% above national), each hour of work buys what $51.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $71,726 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Seattle, the civil engineer hourly pay is projected to be $57.47 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national hourly median of $49.76. This attractive compensation means that civil engineers working part-time, such as those in a three-day workweek, can expect to earn about $41,471 annually based on a 24-hour work schedule. Per-diem civil engineers in Seattle benefit from varied job settings, including consulting firm offices equipped with CAD tools or working on construction sites and DOT offices. The hourly range for civil engineers in the area starts at approximately $40.53 for entry-level positions and can soar to $79.82 for experienced professionals, which aligns with BLS projections and reflects Seattle's growing market for engineering services.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.53 | $324.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.49 | $395.91 |
| Median (P50) | $57.47 | $459.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66.36 | $530.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79.82 | $638.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Seattle
Based on $57.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $57.47/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Seattle, WA can expect to earn approximately $119,543 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $68,967. With a cost-of-living index of 111.13 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Seattle.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Seattle
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,298.91 | $9,962 | $119,543 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,379.35 | $5,977 | $71,726 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $919.56 | $3,985 | $47,817 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Seattle) | $57.47 |
| 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 Seattle, WA earn a median of $119,543 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.51% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 8.10% above the Washington state average of $110,586.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $57.47/hr = $71,726/year (purchasing power: $64,541).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $119,543/year (purchasing power: $107,568).
CoL index: 111.133 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$43.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$56.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$57.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Seattle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $56.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Seattle grew 27.4% from $43.96/hr (2019) to $56.00/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $58.98/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 Seattle 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 Seattle
When considering part-time work or per-diem arrangements, the potential earnings of civil engineers can vary significantly, creating attractive options for those seeking flexibility. A civil engineer working as a per-diem or agency employee can charge between $100 and $180 per hour, allowing for substantial earnings, especially as experienced professionals can command even higher rates—expert witnesses might bill $250 to $500 per hour. Employers in Seattle, ranging from esteemed engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs to federal and state agencies, influence the hourly rates significantly. While some professionals accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, others opt for the higher pay associated with contract work. Negotiating effectively is vital, especially given the competitive nature of the local market, with tips ranging from showcasing unique qualifications to emphasizing specialized skills relevant to infrastructure projects stemming from recent federal investments.
More salary data for Seattle, 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 Seattle. 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