Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Fairmont, WV: $41.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Fairmont, WV runs $41.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $85,533 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Fairmont's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.5, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,323 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in Fairmont, WV, earn a median hourly rate of $41.12, which is notably lower than the national median of $49.76. This rate suggests a strong potential for part-time positions, such as working three days a week, where an engineer would find balanced work-life dynamics while still capitalizing on competitive per-diem opportunities. Typical environments for this role include consulting firm offices equipped with advanced software like CAD and Revit, government DOT offices, and construction site field offices. For those just entering the field, hourly rates start at approximately $30.81, while the highest earners can command rates up to $62.82, reflecting significant variability based on experience and specialization. The hourly figures are drawn from annual salary estimates and showcase the potential for civil engineer hourly pay in Fairmont, particularly attractive to professionals seeking flexibility in work arrangements.
About the Fairmont Market
Salary estimated from West Virginia average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.81 | $246.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.18 | $273.41 |
| Median (P50) | $41.12 | $328.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.60 | $412.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.82 | $502.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fairmont
Based on $41.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.12/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fairmont, WV can expect to earn approximately $85,538 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,349. With a cost-of-living index of 86.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fairmont.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fairmont
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,644.95 | $7,128 | $85,538 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $986.97 | $4,277 | $51,323 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $657.98 | $2,851 | $34,215 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Fairmont) | $41.12 |
| 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 Fairmont, WV earn a median of $85,533 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.35% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 6.90% below the West Virginia state average of $91,872.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.12/hr = $51,323/year (purchasing power: $59,332).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $85,538/year (purchasing power: $98,887).
CoL index: 86.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Fairmont (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.59/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Fairmont grew 15.8% from $34.59/hr (2019) to $40.07/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.21/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 Fairmont 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 Fairmont
Focusing on part-time earnings, a civil engineer working 24 hours a week might generate an annual income around $51,537, considerably lower than full-time counterparts but still viable for many. The appeal of per-diem civil engineer pay in Fairmont lies in the ability to work on flexible contracts where engineers can charge anywhere from $100 to $180 per hour; those with experience in specialized areas, such as structural or forensic engineering, may even bill $250 to $500 per hour. Hourly rates also differ by employer type, with state DOTs and federal agencies like USACE offering stability but potentially lower pay compared to competitive engineering consulting firms or Fortune 500 construction companies. Some engineers opt for positions with more modest hourly rates for the benefits they provide, while others pursue higher hourly rates in contract work with minimal support. Negotiating hourly rates in Fairmont requires understanding both market trends and personal priorities, allowing professionals to effectively align their skills and needs with available opportunities.
More salary data for Fairmont, WV:
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 Fairmont. 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 Fairmont 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