Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Fayetteville, AR: $40.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Fayetteville, AR runs $40.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $85,142 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Fayetteville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.4, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.81 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,092 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fayetteville, Arkansas, civil engineers earn a median hourly rate of $40.94, significantly lower than the national median of $49.76. This discrepancy indicates that civil engineer hourly pay in Fayetteville may create challenges for part-time professionals and those seeking per-diem positions. A civil engineer working three days a week, for instance, could expect to earn around $2,000 monthly, translating to approximately $24,000 annually. The hourly range spans from $24.24 at entry-level positions to $66.89 for top earners, highlighting the breadth of opportunities within the field. Typical work environments include consulting firms' offices equipped with advanced design software, construction site field offices, and remote locations requiring flexible work setups.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.24 | $193.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.49 | $267.91 |
| Median (P50) | $40.94 | $327.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.86 | $430.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66.89 | $535.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fayetteville
Based on $40.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.94/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fayetteville, AR can expect to earn approximately $85,153 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,127. With a cost-of-living index of 91.35 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fayetteville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fayetteville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,637.56 | $7,096 | $85,153 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $982.54 | $4,258 | $51,092 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $655.03 | $2,838 | $34,061 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Fayetteville) | $40.94 |
| 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 Fayetteville, AR earn a median of $85,142 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.73% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 5.30% below the Arkansas state average of $89,907.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.94/hr = $51,092/year (purchasing power: $55,928).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $85,153/year (purchasing power: $93,214).
CoL index: 91.353 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.94/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.07/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Fayetteville grew 12.5% from $35.46/hr (2019) to $39.89/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.02/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 Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville
Fayetteville's civil engineers contemplating part-time work may find themselves in an advantageous position when considering per-diem or contract roles. Many professionals operating on a contract basis can bill hourly rates ranging from $100 to $180, especially those with specialized expertise or licensure. For instance, experienced structural engineers can earn notably higher rates, such as $250 to $500 per hour when serving as expert witnesses. In Fayetteville, the hourly rates vary significantly depending on the type of employer, with large engineering firms, construction companies, and government bodies offering different compensation packages. Some engineers may elect to accept lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, while others might prefer higher pay rates without such perks. In a competitive environment, engineers should negotiate remuneration effectively, keeping in mind local market factors and individual skill sets to secure the best possible positions.
More salary data for Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville. 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, 7-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