Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Hot Springs, AR: $42.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Hot Springs, AR runs $42.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,022 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Hot Springs's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,808 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hot Springs, Arkansas, civil engineers earn a median hourly rate of $42.31, which falls below the national median of $49.76. This hourly pay reflects an opportunity for both full-time and part-time professionals involved in projects that may involve consulting firms, government offices, or remote work settings with CAD and design tools. For engineers working part-time, perhaps three days a week, the implications of this hourly rate become significant, as they will still find themselves in the lower range of the pay spectrum with rates reaching from $28.39 for entry-level positions to $65.59 for highly experienced individuals. The figures provided are estimates based on annual salary data; thus, they serve as a guiding framework when evaluating employment in various capacities.
About the Hot Springs 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) | $28.39 | $227.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.03 | $264.21 |
| Median (P50) | $42.31 | $338.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.32 | $426.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.59 | $524.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hot Springs
Based on $42.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.31/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hot Springs, AR can expect to earn approximately $88,014 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,777. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hot Springs.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hot Springs
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,692.57 | $7,334 | $88,014 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,015.54 | $4,401 | $52,808 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $677.03 | $2,934 | $35,206 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Hot Springs) | $42.31 |
| 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 Hot Springs, AR earn a median of $88,022 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.95% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 2.10% below the Arkansas state average of $89,910.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.31/hr = $52,808/year (purchasing power: $60,769).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,014/year (purchasing power: $101,282).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Hot Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $63.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Hot Springs grew 27.4% from $32.37/hr (2019) to $41.23/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.43/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 Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs
Examining the potential earnings for a part-time civil engineer who works 24 hours a week reveals useful insights about balancing work and financial needs. Annually, such an engineer could expect to take home about $52,000, a respectable figure for those prioritizing flexibility. In contrast, per-diem civil engineers operating on 1099 contracts often command more lucrative hourly rates, typically ranging from $100 to $180 per hour, and can even escalate to $250-$500 for specialized services. Hourly rates vary across employer types in Hot Springs, with consulting firms like AECOM and Stantec offering competitive compensation against state and local government positions, which may provide more stability but lower hourly pay. Engineers must assess the benefits of steady employment against the potentially higher rates offered by per-diem arrangements, particularly in an environment shaped by infrastructure spending driven by new initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Negotiating hourly terms can further maximize earning potential, and understanding the local job market for civil engineers can provide information to navigate discussions with prospective employers effectively.
More salary data for Hot Springs, 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 Hot Springs. 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 Hot Springs 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