Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Decatur, AL: $51.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Decatur, AL runs $51.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $106,212 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Decatur's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.2, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $58.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,721 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Decatur, Alabama, civil engineers can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $51.06, which is comfortably above the national median hourly rate of $49.76. This rate significantly influences the income of both full-time professionals and those pursuing part-time opportunities or per-diem positions. For example, working three days a week could net a civil engineer approximately $39,000 annually, allowing for a healthier work-life balance while still providing competitive compensation. The hourly compensation range in Decatur spans from $32.32 for entry-level positions to $83.43 for highly experienced engineers, showcasing a wide spectrum of earning potential depending on skills, experience, and job responsibilities. This data is reflective of projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.32 | $258.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.75 | $301.98 |
| Median (P50) | $51.06 | $408.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68.42 | $547.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83.43 | $667.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Decatur
Based on $51.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.06/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Decatur, AL can expect to earn approximately $106,202 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,270. With a cost-of-living index of 87.21 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Decatur.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Decatur
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,042.34 | $8,850 | $106,202 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,225.40 | $5,310 | $63,721 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $816.93 | $3,540 | $42,481 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Decatur) | $51.06 |
| 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 Decatur, AL earn a median of $106,212 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.63% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 6.20% above the Alabama state average of $100,011.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.06/hr = $63,721/year (purchasing power: $73,064).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $106,202/year (purchasing power: $121,774).
CoL index: 87.212 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.95/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $52.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Decatur grew 15.8% from $42.95/hr (2019) to $49.75/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.40/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 Decatur 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 Decatur
Considering the realities of the profession, part-time civil engineers in Decatur may find their work model offers flexibility, enabling them to balance multiple projects or personal commitments. Those who opt for per-diem work can see considerable earnings, billing anywhere from $100-$180 per hour, depending on their specialty and expertise. More experienced engineers who serve as expert witnesses or provide niche consulting, such as geotechnical investigations, could command rates between $150 and $500 per hour. Hourly rates often vary across different employers, such as prominent engineering consulting firms like AECOM or local government agencies, which may provide stability and benefits, albeit at a potentially lower hourly pay. Engineers need to weigh the trade-off between securing enhanced hourly compensation with fewer benefits against the stability offered by full-time positions. For those engaging in contract work, negotiating favorable terms based on local industry rates will set the stage for long-term financial success while working in Decatur, AL.
More salary data for Decatur, 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 Decatur. 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, 5-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