Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Buffalo, NY: $47.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Buffalo, NY runs $47.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $99,613 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Buffalo's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.8, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,763 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Buffalo, NY, civil engineer hourly pay is projected at a median rate of $47.89 for the year 2026, slightly trailing the national median of $49.76. This hourly compensation facilitates various working configurations, supporting both part-time positions and per-diem work typical of the profession. For those in traditional roles at consulting firms, construction sites, or government offices, this rate allows part-time civil engineers working three days a week to earn a substantial income, especially when factoring in the frequency of high-demand projects like those driven by infrastructure initiatives. Entry-level professionals can expect to start at around $35.54 per hour, while highly experienced engineers, particularly in specialized fields, may see rates soar to $74.16 per hour, highlighting the diverse earning potential across different experience levels and niches within the sector.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.54 | $284.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.72 | $317.74 |
| Median (P50) | $47.89 | $383.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.07 | $504.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74.16 | $593.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Buffalo
Based on $47.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.89/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Buffalo, NY can expect to earn approximately $99,605 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,465. With a cost-of-living index of 95.84 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Buffalo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Buffalo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,915.49 | $8,300 | $99,605 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,149.29 | $4,980 | $59,763 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $766.19 | $3,320 | $39,842 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Buffalo) | $47.89 |
| 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 Buffalo, NY earn a median of $99,613 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.75% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.10% below the New York state average of $100,721.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.89/hr = $59,763/year (purchasing power: $62,355).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $99,605/year (purchasing power: $103,924).
CoL index: 95.844 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Buffalo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Buffalo grew 14.8% from $40.65/hr (2019) to $46.66/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.15/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 Buffalo 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 Buffalo
Examining the financial landscape, a civil engineer working part-time at 24 hours a week would bring in approximately $59,766 annually, a sum that reflects competitive earnings even for reduced schedules. In Buffalo, per-diem civil engineer pay ranges significantly, with professionals leveraging their licensure and expertise often billing between $100-$180 per hour for contract work. More specialized experts, such as forensic engineers, can demand hourly rates spiking to $250-$500 when providing testimony in legal matters. Hourly rates vary widely based on the employer type—those joining large engineering consulting firms like AECOM or Jacobs may enjoy higher starting pay, but such positions often come with robust health benefits. In contrast, independent contractors may earn more per hour but sacrifice those benefits. Negotiating effectively becomes crucial in Buffalo’s job market; showing proficiency with sought-after tools like AutoCAD or Revit can provide leverage in these discussions, ensuring a fair representation of value for your skill set.
More salary data for Buffalo, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for civil engineers in Buffalo in 2026?
How much do part-time civil engineers make in Buffalo?
Are civil engineers in Buffalo paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time civil engineer make per year in Buffalo?
Do civil engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Buffalo?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New York
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 Buffalo. 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