Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Phenix City, AL: $47.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Phenix City, AL runs $47.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $98,409 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Phenix City's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $53.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,046 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Phenix City, Alabama, civil engineer hourly pay is projected to be approximately $47.31 in 2026, which positions it below the national median hourly rate of $49.76. This pay is particularly relevant for part-time employees working three days a week, where their earnings can be appealing yet lower compared to full-time professionals. For those engaged in per-diem roles, the typical settings include consulting firms and construction sites where workstations are outfitted with CAD, Revit, and AutoCAD tools. The hourly pay range spans from $34.64 for entry-level positions to $72.24 for seasoned engineers, indicating that individuals in this profession can experience significant financial differences based on their level of experience and the complexity of the projects they undertake.
About the Phenix City 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) | $34.64 | $277.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.07 | $312.57 |
| Median (P50) | $47.31 | $378.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58.89 | $471.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72.24 | $577.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Phenix City
Based on $47.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.31/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Phenix City, AL can expect to earn approximately $98,410 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,775. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Phenix City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Phenix City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,892.50 | $8,201 | $98,410 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,135.50 | $4,920 | $59,046 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $757.00 | $3,280 | $39,364 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Phenix City) | $47.31 |
| 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 Phenix City, AL earn a median of $98,409 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.91% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.60% below the Alabama state average of $100,009.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.31/hr = $59,046/year (purchasing power: $67,174).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $98,410/year (purchasing power: $111,957).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Phenix City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.35/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.56/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Phenix City grew 15.8% from $39.80/hr (2019) to $46.10/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.56/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 Phenix City 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 Phenix City
When analyzing civil engineer compensation in Phenix City, part-time professionals working 24 hours a week can expect to take home approximately $59,274 annually, which is significantly lower than full-time engineers. Per diem civil engineer pay in Phenix City varies widely; contractors often bill between $100 and $180 an hour, while seasoned structural or forensic engineers working as expert witnesses command rates that can soar to $250-$500 per hour. The pay scale can differ greatly depending on employer types—from large engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs to Fortune 500 construction companies or state DOTs. This diversity allows engineers to negotiate their compensation based on their unique circumstances, such as accepting lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance. For those exploring hourly work in Phenix City, negotiating terms that fit individual needs and exploring opportunities across various sectors can be key strategies for maximizing earnings in this growing field.
More salary data for Phenix City, 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 Phenix City. 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 Phenix City 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