Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Vestavia Hills, AL: $46.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Vestavia Hills, AL runs $46.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $96,010 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Vestavia Hills's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,611 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For civil engineers in Vestavia Hills, the projected median hourly pay in 2026 is $46.16, which is slightly below the national median of $49.76. This discrepancy may reflect various local factors, including the cost of living index, which is noted at 87.9, indicating a lower-than-average living expense compared to the national average. As a result, civil engineers working in part-time roles, such as those at consulting firms or construction sites, can expect to earn around $46.16 per hour, translating to approximately $3,692 for a typical three-day work week of 24 hours. The hourly salary ranges from $32.11 for entry-level positions up to $71.54 for top earners. These hourly figures are estimated using annual salary data, showcasing a professional environment focused equally on fieldwork and technical office work utilizing CAD/Revit/AutoCAD.
About the Vestavia Hills 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) | $32.11 | $256.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.73 | $293.85 |
| Median (P50) | $46.16 | $369.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58.83 | $470.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71.54 | $572.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Vestavia Hills
Based on $46.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.16/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Vestavia Hills, AL can expect to earn approximately $96,019 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,396. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Vestavia Hills.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Vestavia Hills
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,846.52 | $8,002 | $96,019 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,107.91 | $4,801 | $57,611 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $738.61 | $3,201 | $38,408 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Vestavia Hills) | $46.16 |
| 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 Vestavia Hills, AL earn a median of $96,010 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.23% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 4.00% below the Alabama state average of $100,011.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.16/hr = $57,611/year (purchasing power: $65,542).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $96,019/year (purchasing power: $109,237).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Vestavia Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Vestavia Hills grew 15.8% from $38.83/hr (2019) to $44.98/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.38/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 Vestavia Hills 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 Vestavia Hills
Exploring civil engineering hourly pay in Vestavia Hills reveals intriguing insights into earning potential, especially for those considering a part-time schedule or per-diem engagements. A civil engineer working three days a week could earn around $48,441 annually, significantly less than a full-time expectation but offering flexibility. Those opting for per-diem work often see higher compensation, with billing rates ranging from $100 to $180 per hour, and some specialists like structural and forensic engineers commanding rates of $250 to $500 per hour. Job types in Vestavia Hills can greatly influence hourly wages; for example, large engineering firms might offer stable pay but less flexibility, while smaller firms or government jobs could provide a compromise between benefits and hourly rate. Civil engineers should be prepared to negotiate based on these factors, potentially trading off higher hourly pay for health insurance or other perks that larger employers might provide.
More salary data for Vestavia Hills, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for civil engineers in Vestavia Hills in 2026?
How much do part-time civil engineers make in Vestavia Hills?
Are civil engineers in Vestavia Hills paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time civil engineer make per year in Vestavia Hills?
Do civil engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Vestavia Hills?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Alabama
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 Vestavia Hills. 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 Vestavia Hills 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