Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Opelika, AL: $48.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Opelika, AL runs $48.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,772 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Opelika's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $55.67 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,070 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Opelika, Alabama, the civil engineer hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $48.93 in 2026. Compared to the national median of $49.76 per hour, this figure positions Opelika engineers slightly below the national average. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this translates to a take-home of about $37,311 annually, which underscores the economic considerations of working fewer hours. Typical environments for civil engineers include consulting firm offices equipped with advanced CAD and Revit software, as well as construction site field offices where hands-on project oversight occurs. Whether at a local government transportation office or engaged in remote plan-checking tasks, the hourly rate for entry-level positions starts at $35.94, while top earners can command up to $75.84 an hour. These figures are derived from annual salary estimates, reflecting the landscape for civil engineer hourly rates throughout AL.
About the Opelika Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.94 | $287.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.37 | $323.00 |
| Median (P50) | $48.93 | $391.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.62 | $501.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75.84 | $606.75 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Opelika
Based on $48.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.93/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Opelika, AL can expect to earn approximately $101,783 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,721. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Opelika.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Opelika
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,957.36 | $8,482 | $101,783 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,174.42 | $5,089 | $61,070 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $782.94 | $3,393 | $40,713 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Opelika) | $48.93 |
| 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 Opelika, AL earn a median of $101,772 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.66% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.80% above the Alabama state average of $99,973.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.93/hr = $61,070/year (purchasing power: $69,476).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,783/year (purchasing power: $115,794).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Opelika (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Opelika grew 15.8% from $41.16/hr (2019) to $47.68/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.22/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 Opelika 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 Opelika
Beyond traditional employment, the landscape of civil engineering in Opelika also includes per-diem and agency roles. Many civil engineers opt for per diem positions, with rates ranging from $100 to $180 per hour, offering them greater flexibility and potentially higher earnings than salaried roles. Expert witnesses, particularly in structural and forensic engineering, can bill between $250 and $500 per hour, further exemplifying the income variance within this field. Hourly pay is also influenced by the type of employer. Those in engineering consulting firms like AECOM or Jacobs typically earn different rates than those in higher-risk construction jobs at Fortune 500 companies such as Bechtel. While some professionals may take positions with lower hourly rates to secure health benefits, others may prioritize maximizing their hourly wage without a benefits package. For engineers considering contract work, negotiating hourly rates effectively can be crucial, especially in a smaller market like Opelika, where rates can significantly vary based on experience and specialization.
More salary data for Opelika, 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 Opelika. 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 Opelika 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