Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Morgantown, WV: $44.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Morgantown, WV runs $44.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $91,915 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Morgantown's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.3, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $55,152 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Morgantown, West Virginia, civil engineer hourly pay is projected at $44.19 in 2026, which notably falls short of the national hourly median of $49.76. This rate reflects the local demand for civil engineers as infrastructure projects continue to grow, driven by initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. For civil engineers working part-time—as in a typical three-day workweek—this could translate to annual earnings that allow for a balanced lifestyle, especially in settings like consulting offices or field locations. Entry-level engineers can expect to earn as little as $23.96 hourly, while those with extensive experience and a strong professional network may see rates nearing $68.30. These figures, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, emphasize the opportunities in various work environments, such as government offices and project sites.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.96 | $191.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.93 | $255.43 |
| Median (P50) | $44.19 | $353.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.39 | $507.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68.30 | $546.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Morgantown
Based on $44.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.19/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Morgantown, WV can expect to earn approximately $91,920 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,031. With a cost-of-living index of 93.32 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Morgantown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Morgantown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,767.70 | $7,660 | $91,920 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,060.62 | $4,596 | $55,152 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $707.08 | $3,064 | $36,768 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Morgantown) | $44.19 |
| 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 Morgantown, WV earn a median of $91,915 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.19% lower than the national median of $103,492.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.19/hr = $55,152/year (purchasing power: $59,098).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $91,920/year (purchasing power: $98,497).
CoL index: 93.323 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+19.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Morgantown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.27/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Morgantown grew 13.7% from $37.88/hr (2019) to $43.06/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.35/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 Morgantown 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 Morgantown
Analyzing the Morgantown market reveals how versatile hourly pay structures can be, particularly for those pursuing part-time careers or per diem roles. A civil engineer working 24 hours a week could potentially take home around $55,000 annually, a figure that starkly contrasts with full-time positions that typically provide higher overall compensation but may include benefits trade-offs. Per diem civil engineers often command higher rates, typically between $100 to $180 per hour, especially on specialized tasks like geotechnical investigations or structural assessments, which can ascend to $250 to $500 when acting as expert witnesses. The variation in hourly pay is also a reflection of the employer type; engineering consulting firms and construction companies may differ significantly in their offerings. Civil engineers in Morgantown might negotiate based on their credentials, such as the PE license, balancing the advantages of good pay against the need for health insurance and other benefits, depending on individual circumstances and preferences.
More salary data for Morgantown, 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 Morgantown. 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