Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Bristol, RI: $47.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Bristol, RI runs $47.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $98,461 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Bristol's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $47.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,072 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bristol, RI, civil engineers earn a median hourly rate of $47.33, which positions them slightly below the national median of $49.76. This hourly pay translates well for those seeking part-time roles or per-diem opportunities; working three days a week could yield substantial earnings while maintaining flexible schedules. Typical employment settings for civil engineers include consulting firm offices equipped with CAD, Revit, and AutoCAD workstations, construction field offices, government DOT offices, and even remote plan-checking environments. The hourly pay range for civil engineers in Bristol spans from $32.82 for entry-level positions to $73.37 for top earners, indicating a broad spectrum of income potential influenced by both experience and specialization. It's crucial to recognize that these hourly rates are estimated based on annual salary data, which reflects the evolving workforce dynamics in the civil engineering sector.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.82 | $262.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.42 | $299.35 |
| Median (P50) | $47.33 | $378.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57.67 | $461.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73.37 | $586.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bristol
Based on $47.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.33/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bristol, RI can expect to earn approximately $98,453 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,800. With a cost-of-living index of 100.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bristol.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bristol
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,893.32 | $8,204 | $98,453 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,135.99 | $4,923 | $59,072 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $757.33 | $3,282 | $39,381 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Bristol) | $47.33 |
| 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 Bristol, RI earn a median of $98,461 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.86% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 5.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $103,972.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.33/hr = $59,072/year (purchasing power: $58,778).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $98,453/year (purchasing power: $97,963).
CoL index: 100.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$39.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Bristol grew 15.8% from $39.82/hr (2019) to $46.12/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.58/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 Bristol 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 Bristol
The part-time earning potential for civil engineers in Bristol is significant, particularly for those opting to work 24 hours per week; this equates to a yearly income that can be quite appealing despite being less than full-time counterparts. Many civil engineers pursuing per-diem contracts often charge rates between $100 and $180 per hour, with seasoned professionals such as structural or forensic engineers commanding as much as $250-$500 per hour when acting as expert witnesses. Hourly rates can greatly vary based on the employer; engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs typically offer competitive pay, while construction giant firms such as Bechtel may have different scales. Some engineers may trade off lower hourly rates for benefits, such as health insurance, while others might pursue higher pay without benefits for the flexibility it provides. Negotiation tips include emphasizing specialized skills and relevant experience, aligning pay expectations with regional standards, and recognizing the current demand driven by infrastructure investments like those from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for Bristol, RI:
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 Bristol. 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 Bristol 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