Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Albuquerque, NM: $51.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Albuquerque, NM runs $51.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $107,844 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Albuquerque's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $64,707 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Albuquerque, the civil engineer hourly pay is projected to be $51.85 in 2026, notably surpassing the national hourly median of $49.76. This competitive rate offers flexibility for part-time and per-diem work arrangements, particularly within the contexts of engineering consulting firms and various governmental offices. For civil engineers working three days a week, this hourly figure translates to substantial earnings, allowing them to effectively manage work-life balance while still capitalizing on lucrative project opportunities. The hourly range for civil engineers in Albuquerque spans from $36.90 at the entry level to $76.62 for those at the top of their career, reflecting a healthy market for this profession, as indicated by official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.90 | $295.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.86 | $318.89 |
| Median (P50) | $51.85 | $414.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.67 | $509.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76.62 | $612.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Albuquerque
Based on $51.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.85/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Albuquerque, NM can expect to earn approximately $107,845 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $62,218. With a cost-of-living index of 95.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Albuquerque.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Albuquerque
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,073.95 | $8,987 | $107,845 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,244.37 | $5,392 | $64,707 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $829.58 | $3,595 | $43,138 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Albuquerque) | $51.85 |
| 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 Albuquerque, NM earn a median of $107,844 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.21% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 10.40% above the New Mexico state average of $97,684.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.85/hr = $64,707/year (purchasing power: $67,724).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $107,845/year (purchasing power: $112,873).
CoL index: 95.546 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$43.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$50.52/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Albuquerque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $50.52/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Albuquerque grew 16.2% from $43.49/hr (2019) to $50.52/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.21/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 Albuquerque 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 Albuquerque
When considering part-time roles, a civil engineer taking on 24 hours weekly at the projected rate can yield an annual income that may not match full-time earnings but provides significant financial support. Many per-diem civil engineers in Albuquerque, often operating on a 1099 basis, can command rates between $100 and $180 per hour, especially in specialized roles. Experienced professionals, such as forensic engineers serving as expert witnesses, can bill as high as $500 per hour. The hourly rates also differ based on the type of employer; large engineering firms and Fortune 500 construction companies generally offer higher pay but might come with fewer benefits compared to government positions. With the ongoing impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, engineers should also consider trade-offs in hourly compensation against health benefits when negotiating their pay, especially as many firms now prioritize health insurance options over higher hourly rates. Understanding the local market dynamics is crucial for effective negotiation, ensuring civil engineers in Albuquerque secure compensation that reflects their skills and credentials.
More salary data for Albuquerque, NM:
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 Albuquerque. 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