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Normalized ENV Labor Rate Forecast
Normalized Labor Rate Intelligence (2025-2026)
Consolidated database of hourly professional billing rates extracted from publicly awarded RFP and RFQ documentation. Historical data is normalized to 2025/2026 equivalents using inflation adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of the prior year.
CPI
Adjustment Basis
2026
Forecast Horizon
2025 Normalized Benchmark
Direct peer comparison of highest-tier professional roles adjusted for inflation markers.
| Firm & Context | Representative Role | 2025 Normalized Rate | 2026 Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|
| AECOM Palo AltoCalifornia (2020 Base) | Highest LevelPrincipal in Charge | $315 Est. 2025 (CPI Adj) |
$326 Proj. 2026 |
| Montrose GOAAOrlando, FL (2024 Base) | Highest LevelPrincipal | $255 Est. 2025 (CPI Adj) |
$264 Proj. 2026 |
| APTIM HoustonTexas (2023 Base) | Highest LevelProject Principal | $283 Est. 2025 (CPI Adj) |
$293 Proj. 2026 |
| United ConsultingGeorgia (2024 Base) | Highest LevelPrincipal Engineer | $302 Est. 2025 (CPI Adj) |
$313 Proj. 2026 |
| Braun IntertecMinnesota (2019 Base) | Highest LevelPrincipal / Associate | $264 Est. 2025 (CPI Adj) |
$273 Proj. 2026 |
| APTIM NYNew York (2020 Base) | Highest LevelEngagement Partner | $270 Est. 2025 (CPI Adj) |
$279 Proj. 2026 |
| TerraconIowa (2024 Base) | Highest LevelPrincipal / Dept Manager | $181 Est. 2025 (CPI Adj) |
$187 Proj. 2026 |
| Jacobs Engineering GroupCounty Public Infrastructure (2021 Base) | Highest LevelProject / Construction Manager | — 2021 Base Provided |
$267 2026E |
| Ramboll Broome CountyBinghamton, NY (2025–2027 Flat) | Highest LevelOfficer / Director | $274 2025 Contract Rate |
$274 2026 Proxy |
| CPL Broome CountyBinghamton, NY (2025–2026 Schedule) | Highest LevelPrincipal | $239 2025 Contract Rate |
$247 2026 Actual |
Greater Orlando Aviation Authority — Orlando International Airport, FL
Montrose Environmental Solutions, Inc.
Project type: FY2025 On-Call Baseline Environmental Impact Investigations / Continuing Environmental Engineering Consulting Services
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Client: Greater Orlando Aviation Authority
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City: Orlando, Florida
2024 Base
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| Labor Role | 2024 Base Rate | 2025 Normalized (Est) | 2026 Forecasted (Proj) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principal | $246.00 | Base + CPI $254.61 | 2026 Proj $263.52 |
| Senior Engineer | $199.00 | Base + CPI $205.96 | 2026 Proj $213.17 |
| Senior Project Manager | $177.00 | Base + CPI $183.19 | 2026 Proj $189.61 |
| Senior Geologist | $151.00 | Base + CPI $156.28 | 2026 Proj $161.75 |
| Project Geologist | $115.00 | Base + CPI $119.02 | 2026 Proj $123.19 |
| Database Administrator | $115.00 | Base + CPI $119.02 | 2026 Proj $123.19 |
| Chemist/Reviewer | $113.00 | Base + CPI $116.95 | 2026 Proj $121.05 |
| Biologist | $109.00 | Base + CPI $112.81 | 2026 Proj $116.76 |
| Field Geologist | $88.00 | Base + CPI $91.08 | 2026 Proj $94.27 |
| Administrative Assistant | $76.00 | Base + CPI $78.66 | 2026 Proj $81.41 |
| CAD/GIS/BIM Analyst | $67.00 | Base + CPI $69.34 | 2026 Proj $71.77 |
Source basis: Montrose Environmental Solutions, Inc. Addendum No. 3, Attachment A – Unit Rate Fees / Montrose Personnel Labor, dated August 16, 2024 and revised November 11, 2024, for GOAA FY2025 Baseline Environmental Impact Investigations at Orlando International Airport. Rates are professional labor rates per hour and are normalized using the same 3.5% prior-year CPI convention used elsewhere on this page: 2025 estimate = 2024 base × 1.035; 2026 forecast = 2025 estimate × 1.035.
City of Houston, TX — Contract 4500311651
APTIM Environmental & Infrastructure
2023 Base
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| Labor Role | 2023 Base Rate | 2025 Normalized (Est) | 2026 Forecasted (Proj) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Principal | $264.42 | CPI Adj (2yr) $283.25 | 2026 Proj $293.16 |
| Subject Matter Expert (SME) | $212.00 | CPI Adj (2yr) $227.10 | 2026 Proj $235.05 |
| Project Manager | $209.68 | CPI Adj (2yr) $224.61 | 2026 Proj $232.47 |
| Deputy Project Manager | $196.26 | CPI Adj (2yr) $210.23 | 2026 Proj $217.59 |
| Consultant / Analyst III | $154.51 | CPI Adj (2yr) $165.51 | 2026 Proj $171.30 |
| Field Inspector | $107.12 | CPI Adj (2yr) $114.75 | 2026 Proj $118.76 |
Source: City of Houston Feb 2023 Award. Rates adjusted for 2-year prior-year CPI marker.
New York State HCR — RFP PMSSII
APTIM Engineering New York, P.C.
2020 Base
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| Labor Role | 2020 Base Rate | 2025 Normalized (Est) | 2026 Forecasted (Proj) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engagement Partner | $227.46 | CPI Comp (5yr) $270.15 | 2026 Proj $279.60 |
| Senior Project Manager | $167.25 | CPI Comp (5yr) $198.64 | 2026 Proj $205.59 |
| Project Manager | $144.95 | CPI Comp (5yr) $172.16 | 2026 Proj $178.18 |
| QAQC Specialist | $93.66 | CPI Comp (5yr) $111.24 | 2026 Proj $115.13 |
| Administrative Assistant | $66.90 | CPI Comp (5yr) $79.46 | 2026 Proj $82.24 |
Source: Executed NYS HCR Contract. All-inclusive loaded rates normalized using 3.5% annual CAGR.
San Lorenzo Valley Water District, CA — Proposal 2023
APTIM Environmental & Infrastructure
2023 Base
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| Labor Role | 2023 Base Rate | 2025 Normalized (Est) | 2026 Forecasted (Proj) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical SME (M. Reedy) | $212.00 | CPI Adj (2yr) $227.10 | 2026 Proj $235.05 |
| Project Manager (N. Maddox) | $198.50 | CPI Adj (2yr) $212.64 | 2026 Proj $220.08 |
| Policy SME | $205.00 | CPI Adj (2yr) $219.61 | 2026 Proj $227.29 |
City of Palo Alto, CA — Contract C20174597A
AECOM Technical Services, Inc.
Project type: On-call professional engineering services for substation, protection and communication systems, overhead and underground construction, electric distribution, and dark fiber optic network projects.
|
Rate basis: Exhibit C-1 Schedule of Rates; billing rates increase 3.5% annually on the first day of every calendar year.
2020 Base
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| Labor Role | 2020 Base Rate | 2025 Normalized (Est) | 2026 Forecasted (Proj) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Manager (Dean Goward) | $239.78 | CPI Comp (5yr) $284.78 | 2026 Proj $294.75 |
| Principal Electrical Engineer (Itamar Lopes) | $241.53 | CPI Comp (5yr) $286.86 | 2026 Proj $296.90 |
| Principal Electrical Engineer (Shabad Khalsa) | $211.11 | CPI Comp (5yr) $250.73 | 2026 Proj $259.51 |
| Principal Electrical Engineer (Ray Benjamin) | $155.87 | CPI Comp (5yr) $185.12 | 2026 Proj $191.60 |
| Electrical Engineer (Tyler Blauvelt) | $123.42 | CPI Comp (5yr) $146.58 | 2026 Proj $151.71 |
| Project Manager (Zaid Sulaiman) | $216.04 | CPI Comp (5yr) $256.59 | 2026 Proj $265.57 |
| Electrical Engineer (Efren Escarez) | $127.91 | CPI Comp (5yr) $151.92 | 2026 Proj $157.23 |
| Principal Structural Engineer (Savas Kolankaya) | $244.71 | CPI Comp (5yr) $290.64 | 2026 Proj $300.81 |
| Civil / Structural Engineer (Kathleen Graham) | $112.10 | CPI Comp (5yr) $133.14 | 2026 Proj $137.80 |
| Principal in Charge (Bob Turley) | $265.35 | CPI Comp (5yr) $315.15 | 2026 Proj $326.18 |
| Principal Electrical Engineer (Dev Paul) | $246.92 | CPI Comp (5yr) $293.26 | 2026 Proj $303.53 |
| Principal Electrical Engineer (Dennis Cirronne) | $243.86 | CPI Comp (5yr) $289.63 | 2026 Proj $299.76 |
| Principal Electrical Engineer (Dave Staley) | $244.35 | CPI Comp (5yr) $290.21 | 2026 Proj $300.37 |
| Senior Electrical Engineer (Ryan Ault) | $200.89 | CPI Comp (5yr) $238.59 | 2026 Proj $246.94 |
| Senior Electrical Engineer (Roy Ceser VillaNueva) | $167.31 | CPI Comp (5yr) $198.71 | 2026 Proj $205.67 |
| Senior Electrical Engineer (Hailu Keremo) | $176.04 | CPI Comp (5yr) $209.08 | 2026 Proj $216.40 |
| Senior Electrical Engineer (Mike Sacks) | $180.79 | CPI Comp (5yr) $214.72 | 2026 Proj $222.24 |
| Senior Electrical Engineer (Ivan Welander) | $148.00 | CPI Comp (5yr) $175.78 | 2026 Proj $181.93 |
| Electrical Engineer (Sam Monger) | $99.00 | CPI Comp (5yr) $117.58 | 2026 Proj $121.70 |
| Electrical Engineer (Raymond Huang) | $110.46 | CPI Comp (5yr) $131.19 | 2026 Proj $135.78 |
| Electrical Engineer (Kimberly Choy) | $138.23 | CPI Comp (5yr) $164.17 | 2026 Proj $169.92 |
| Electrical Engineer (Cythia David) | $112.20 | CPI Comp (5yr) $133.26 | 2026 Proj $137.92 |
| Senior Designer (Wes Wraa) | $158.61 | CPI Comp (5yr) $188.38 | 2026 Proj $194.97 |
| Administration (Annette Strasser) | $122.14 | CPI Comp (5yr) $145.06 | 2026 Proj $150.14 |
| Project Controls (Stevenson Heriveaux) | $90.23 | CPI Comp (5yr) $107.16 | 2026 Proj $110.92 |
| Environmental (Petra Unger) | $229.54 | CPI Comp (5yr) $272.62 | 2026 Proj $282.16 |
| Land Survey (Brian Coleson) | $177.04 | CPI Comp (5yr) $210.27 | 2026 Proj $217.63 |
Source basis: City of Palo Alto Contract C20174597A, Exhibit C-1 Schedule of Rates. Rates shown are AECOM billing rates; subconsultant markup is 5% and reimbursable expense markup is 0%. Normalized using the same 2020-to-2025 CPI compounding factor used elsewhere on this page, then forecasted one additional year at 3.5%.
City of Oskaloosa, IA — Proposal P08201059A
Terracon Consultants, Inc.
2024 Base
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| Labor Role | 2024 Base Rate | 2025 Normalized (Est) | 2026 Forecasted (Proj) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principal / Dept Manager | $175.00 | Base + CPI $181.13 | 2026 Proj $187.46 |
| Senior Project Engineer | $160.00 | Base + CPI $165.60 | 2026 Proj $171.40 |
State of Minnesota — SWIFT Contract 154985
Braun Intertec Corporation
Project type: Asbestos and Other Hazardous Material Remediation Design Master Contract
|
Region: Minnesota statewide; locations include Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, Rochester, and additional Midwest offices in IA, KS, MO, ND, and WI.
2019 Base
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| Labor Role | 2019 Base Rate | State / Region | Project Type / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineer-in-Training | $150 / hr | Minnesota master contract | Hazmat remediation design |
| Staff Engineer | $162 / hr | Minnesota master contract | Personnel services |
| Staff Scientist | $157 / hr | Minnesota master contract | Personnel services |
| Industrial Hygienist | $197 / hr | Minnesota master contract | Hazmat / IH support |
| Project Engineer | $197 / hr | Minnesota master contract | Personnel services |
| Project Scientist | $191 / hr | Minnesota master contract | Personnel services |
| Project Manager | $197 / hr | Minnesota master contract | Personnel services |
| Senior Engineer | $220 / hr | Minnesota master contract | Personnel services |
| Senior Scientist | $214 / hr | Minnesota master contract | Personnel services |
| Senior Industrial Hygienist | $242 / hr | Minnesota master contract | Hazmat / IH support |
| Senior Project Manager | $220 / hr | Minnesota master contract | Personnel services |
| Principal Engineer | $267 / hr | Minnesota master contract | Highest listed engineering role |
| Principal Scientist | $259 / hr | Minnesota master contract | Highest listed science role |
| Forensic Engineer / Architect Expert | $280 / hr | Minnesota master contract | Expert role |
| Consultant I | $146 / hr | Minnesota master contract | Building and Structure Sciences |
| Consultant II | $152 / hr | Minnesota master contract | Building and Structure Sciences |
| Consultant III | $166 / hr | Minnesota master contract | Building and Structure Sciences |
| Consultant IV | $196 / hr | Minnesota master contract | Building and Structure Sciences |
| Technician I | $93 / hr | Minnesota master contract | Field / office services |
| Technician II | $110 / hr | Minnesota master contract | Field / office services |
| Technician III | $127 / hr | Minnesota master contract | Field / office services |
| Technician IV | $140 / hr | Minnesota master contract | Field / office services |
| Project Assistant | $110 / hr | Minnesota master contract | Field / office services |
| CADD / Graphics Operator | $134 / hr | Minnesota master contract | Field / office services |
| GIS Technician | $134 / hr | Minnesota master contract | Field / office services |
| Level II NDE Technician | $127 / hr | Minnesota master contract | NDE technician rate |
| AWS-Certified Weld Inspector | $134 / hr | Minnesota master contract | NDE technician rate |
| API 510 / 570 / 653 Technician | $150 / hr | Minnesota master contract | NDE technician rate |
| Level III NDE Services | $175 / hr | Minnesota master contract | Advanced NDE |
Source basis: Exhibit B fee schedule effective January 1, 2019. Braun may revise its fee schedule once a year after April 1, 2020, but rates may not exceed a 3% increase each year; travel and reimbursables are included in hourly rates.
City of Dunwoody, GA (RFQ 24-04)
Nova · Geo-Hydro · United Consulting
2024 Base
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| Labor Role | 2024 Base Rate | 2025 Normalized (Est) | 2026 Forecasted (Proj) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principal Engineer (United) | $292.00 | Base + CPI $302.22 | 2026 Proj $312.80 |
| Principal Engineer (Nova) | $175.00 | Base + CPI $181.13 | 2026 Proj $187.46 |
County / Public Infrastructure — Civil Infrastructure & Construction-Phase Engineering
Jacobs Engineering Group
Service category: Civil infrastructure / construction-phase engineering
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Work type: Construction inspection, construction administration, utility coordination, stakeholder coordination
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Benchmark use: Construction management and field-inspection rate benchmark
2021 Base
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| Labor Role | 2021 Base Rate | Client / Work Type | 2026E Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Manager | $224.69 | Construction management | 2026E $266.96 |
| Construction Manager | $224.69 | Construction administration | 2026E $266.96 |
| Surveying | $180.00 | Survey / field support | 2026E $213.86 |
| Senior Structural Engineer | $177.38 | Structural engineering | 2026E $210.75 |
| Project Engineer | $137.21 | Engineering support | 2026E $163.02 |
| Senior Designer | $136.51 | Design support | 2026E $162.19 |
| Construction Superintendent | $124.00 | Field supervision | 2026E $147.33 |
| Utility Coordination | $115.65 | Utility coordination | 2026E $137.41 |
| EIT | $111.71 | Engineer-in-training | 2026E $132.72 |
| Construction Inspector III/IV | $107.46 | Senior inspection | 2026E $127.68 |
| Scheduler III | $105.52 | Scheduling | 2026E $125.37 |
| Field Engineer | $105.52 | Field engineering | 2026E $125.37 |
| Inspector II | $93.00 | Inspection | 2026E $110.50 |
| Records Keepers | $84.41 | Records / documentation | 2026E $100.29 |
| Admin / Clerical | $61.49 | Administrative support | 2026E $73.06 |
PE lens: Jacobs shows a relatively compressed 2021 public-sector construction-services ladder. Project manager / construction manager rates inflate to approximately $267/hr in 2026E, while inspector, field, and recordkeeper roles normalize mostly in the approximately $100–$148/hr range.
Broome County, New York — Binghamton, NY
Broome County Multi-Firm A&E Contracts
Approval date: Dec. 19, 2024
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Contract period: 2025–2027
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Scope: On-call professional engineering, environmental engineering, parks planning/design
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Structure: Multiple awarded firms with Exhibit A billing rate schedules
2025–2027
Nature: environmental engineering, infrastructure design, and parks planning. Rate treatment differs by firm: Ramboll rates are flat contract rates; CPL includes a forward schedule into 2026; Fisher Associates / Delta Engineers are awarded but their rate tables are referenced, not disclosed in the provided excerpt.
Broome County, NY — Environmental Engineering Term Contract
Ramboll
Service category: Environmental engineering
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Contract period: 2025–2027
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Rate basis: Flat contract rates; no CPI escalation needed
2025–2027 Flat
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| Labor Role | 2025–2027 Rate | Gaya Level | Category / Signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Officer / Director | $274 | P10 | Director / head; engineering |
| Sr Managing Engineer / Sr PM | $257 | P9 | Senior managing engineer / PM |
| Managing Engineer / Project Manager | $235 | P8 | Managing engineer / PM |
| Project Associate / Construction Manager | $220 | P7 | Project associate / construction manager |
| Senior Associate | $198 | P6 | Senior associate |
| Senior Project Engineer II / Sr Inspector | $182 | P5 | Senior project engineer / inspector |
| Senior Project Engineer I | $174 | P5 | Senior project engineer |
| Project Engineer / Scientist / Designer | $162 | P4 | Project engineer / designer |
| Design Engineer / GIS / Inspector | $148 | P3 | Design engineer / GIS / inspection |
| Staff Engineer / Drafter | $125 | P2 | Staff / technical support |
| Project Accountant / Technician | $108 | P2 | Support / technician |
| Assistant Technician | $95 | P2 | Assistant technician |
| Clerical | $80 | P1 | Clerical / support |
PE interpretation: Ramboll's top rate of $274/hr sits below Ardurra's referenced $305/hr premium civil benchmark, but above mid-market municipal design pricing, making it a useful global advisory / environmental engineering anchor.
Broome County, NY — Parks Planning & Design Services
CPL
Service category: Municipal design / parks planning
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Rate basis: Forward rate schedule includes 2025 and 2026 rates
2025–2026 Actual
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| Labor Role | 2025 Rate | Gaya Level | 2026 Actual Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principal | $239 | P10 | 2026 Actual $247 |
| Associate Principal | $223 | P9 | 2026 Actual $231 |
| Project Manager | $205 | P8 | 2026 Actual $212 |
PE interpretation: CPL sits clearly mid-market. Its 2026 principal rate of $247/hr is below Ramboll's $274/hr global advisory / environmental engineering anchor and below the referenced Ardurra civil engineering premium.
Broome County, NY — Awarded A&E Contracts
Fisher Associates / Delta Engineers
Status: Contract award confirmed
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Rate visibility: Rate schedule referenced but not disclosed in the provided excerpt
Rates Not Disclosed
| Firm | Award Status | Rate Schedule | Database Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fisher Associates | Award confirmed | Referenced, not visible | Track as awarded; exclude from rate benchmark until schedule is obtained |
| Delta Engineers | Award confirmed | Referenced, not visible | Track as awarded; exclude from rate benchmark until schedule is obtained |
Database treatment: include as award intelligence but do not include in rate-level benchmarking until the underlying Exhibit A billing schedules are visible.
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