Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Auburn, AL: $49.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Auburn, AL runs $49.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,209 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Auburn's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $55.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,326 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Auburn, Alabama, earn a median hourly pay of $49.14, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $49.76. This pay structure provides flexibility for civil engineers working part-time or as per-diem professionals. For instance, those working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) can expect to take home around $2,960 monthly based on the median, providing a solid income while allowing time for other pursuits or projects. From entry-level positions starting at around $30.97 to seasoned professionals grossing up to $77.27 per hour, the range reflects a healthy demand for skilled civil engineering talent across various settings including consulting firm offices, construction sites, and government agencies in Auburn. These figures are sourced from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data projected to 2026.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.97 | $247.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.10 | $304.77 |
| Median (P50) | $49.14 | $393.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.82 | $494.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77.27 | $618.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Auburn
Based on $49.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.14/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Auburn, AL can expect to earn approximately $102,210 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,967. With a cost-of-living index of 87.93 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Auburn.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Auburn
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,965.57 | $8,517 | $102,210 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,179.34 | $5,110 | $61,326 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $786.23 | $3,407 | $40,884 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Auburn) | $49.14 |
| 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 Auburn, AL earn a median of $102,209 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.24% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 2.20% above the Alabama state average of $100,009.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.14/hr = $61,326/year (purchasing power: $69,741).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,210/year (purchasing power: $116,236).
CoL index: 87.933 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.39/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Auburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.39/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.92/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Auburn grew 31.6% from $36.39/hr (2019) to $47.88/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.43/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 Auburn 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 Auburn
For civil engineers in Auburn, the earning potential can vary significantly based on work arrangements and employment settings. A part-time civil engineer working 24 hours a week could bring in about $35,520 annually, compared to a full-time colleague potentially earning upwards of $102,209, depending on hours worked and projects completed. Per-diem civil engineers billing $100 to $180 per hour often enjoy a different compensation structure, as they may focus on high-demand projects without long-term commitments, while experienced experts in niche fields like forensic engineering or specialty consulting can command rates between $150 and $500 per hour. Employers play a significant role in determining hourly wages; for example, consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs may offer different compensation packages compared to federal agencies like the EPA or local public works departments. Engineers may need to consider the trade-offs between higher hourly rates with fewer benefits versus lower rates that include healthcare and retirement plans, adding another layer of complexity to their salary negotiations within this evolving market.
More salary data for Auburn, AL:
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 Auburn. 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