Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Gadsden, AL: $38.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Gadsden, AL runs $38.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,903 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Gadsden's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $45.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,543 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Gadsden, Alabama, civil engineers earn a median hourly rate of $38.90, which falls significantly below the national median of $49.76. This discrepancy reflects local labor market conditions and may influence career decisions for those contemplating positions in Gadsden. For engineers working part-time, say three days a week, their earnings could be appealing—approximately $30,000 annually if they clock around 24 hours weekly. Civil engineers typically find themselves in various environments, from consulting firm offices equipped with CAD tools to on-site areas related to construction and local government. The hourly rates also show considerable variation; entry-level positions start around $22.60, while seasoned professionals can command as much as $66.02 per hour, offering a good range for individuals entering or advancing in the field.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.60 | $180.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.17 | $257.40 |
| Median (P50) | $38.90 | $311.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.55 | $436.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66.02 | $528.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gadsden
Based on $38.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.90/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gadsden, AL can expect to earn approximately $80,905 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,676. With a cost-of-living index of 85.65 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gadsden.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gadsden
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,555.87 | $6,742 | $80,905 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $933.52 | $4,045 | $48,543 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $622.35 | $2,697 | $32,362 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Gadsden) | $38.90 |
| 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 Gadsden, AL earn a median of $80,903 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.83% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 19.10% below the Alabama state average of $100,004.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.90/hr = $48,543/year (purchasing power: $56,674).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,905/year (purchasing power: $94,457).
CoL index: 85.653 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Gadsden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.80/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Gadsden grew 15.8% from $32.72/hr (2019) to $37.90/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.92/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 Gadsden 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 Gadsden
For those considering part-time roles, a civil engineer working 24 hours a week may earn a take-home pay considerably lower than a full-time counterpart due to those fewer hours. Per-diem civil engineers in Gadsden often face a different financial reality, potentially billing $100 to $180 per hour or even more for specialized tasks. Experienced professionals, particularly those acting as expert witnesses, can see hourly fees soaring to $250 to $500. Variations in pay can largely depend on the employer type; engineering consulting firms might offer structured compensation packages with benefits, which may entice some engineers to accept lower hourly rates for health insurance. Negotiating hourly pay in Gadsden requires awareness of these dynamics, including knowing your worth based on skills and the nuances of the local market, as well as grasping the financial trade-offs between higher pay versus job stability and benefits offered by larger firms versus smaller entities.
More salary data for Gadsden, 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 Gadsden. 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