Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Benton, AR: $42.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Benton, AR runs $42.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,106 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Benton's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,860 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in Benton, Arkansas, earn a median hourly pay of $42.36, which is notably lower than the national median of $49.76. This discrepancy reflects the regional cost of living, which stands below the national average, making the local pay scale competitive yet cautious. For part-time civil engineers working three days a week, focusing on roles in consulting firms or government offices, this can translate into a flexible work style but with proportional earnings. The hourly pay in Benton ranges from $28.48 for entry-level positions to as high as $65.65 for top-tier professionals, highlighting a significant earning potential that can accommodate various roles, from CAD drafting to supervising field projects.
About the Benton Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.48 | $227.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.11 | $264.87 |
| Median (P50) | $42.36 | $338.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.41 | $427.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.65 | $525.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Benton
Based on $42.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.36/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Benton, AR can expect to earn approximately $88,099 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,826. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Benton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Benton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,694.22 | $7,342 | $88,099 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,016.53 | $4,405 | $52,860 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $677.69 | $2,937 | $35,240 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Benton) | $42.36 |
| 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 Benton, AR earn a median of $88,106 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.87% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 2.00% below the Arkansas state average of $89,904.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.36/hr = $52,860/year (purchasing power: $60,828).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,099/year (purchasing power: $101,380).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Benton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Benton grew 15.8% from $35.63/hr (2019) to $41.27/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.47/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 Benton 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 Benton
The earning potential expands significantly for civil engineers engaging in per-diem work or those functioning under a 1099 structure, where billing can reach between $100 to $180 per hour. Experienced engineers, especially those involved in structural or forensic work, may charge upwards of $250 per hour. With a projected growth rate of 2.63% for the profession in the region, the market remains resilient, particularly among engineering consulting firms and prominent construction companies. However, many professionals must weigh the trade-off between hourly compensation and benefits such as health insurance, which can vary greatly across different job types. Negotiating effectively for hourly wages requires an appreciation of these dynamics, understanding the local job market's nuances, and recognizing the impact of the ongoing infrastructure spending initiatives spurred by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for Benton, AR:
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 Benton. 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 Benton 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