Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Pine Bluff, AR: $42.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Pine Bluff, AR runs $42.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,785 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Pine Bluff's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.56 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,667 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the civil engineer hourly pay in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, stands at $42.20, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $49.76. This differential indicates that civil engineers in Pine Bluff may experience a more constrained earning potential than their counterparts in other regions. For those opting for part-time roles, working, for example, three days a week, translates into earnings that can significantly supplement other income streams. This profession typically finds civil engineers working in diverse environments, such as high-tech consulting firm offices with CAD, Revit, and AutoCAD workstations or field offices on construction sites. For entry-level professionals, the hourly range starts at approximately $28.25, while seasoned experts can earn upwards of $65.42, reflecting a broad spectrum of opportunities in the local job market.
About the Pine Bluff 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) | $28.25 | $226.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.80 | $262.40 |
| Median (P50) | $42.20 | $337.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.02 | $432.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.42 | $523.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pine Bluff
Based on $42.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.20/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pine Bluff, AR can expect to earn approximately $87,779 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,642. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pine Bluff.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pine Bluff
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,688.06 | $7,315 | $87,779 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,012.83 | $4,389 | $52,667 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $675.22 | $2,926 | $35,112 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Pine Bluff) | $42.20 |
| 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 Pine Bluff, AR earn a median of $87,785 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.18% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 2.40% below the Arkansas state average of $89,943.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.20/hr = $52,667/year (purchasing power: $60,607).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,779/year (purchasing power: $101,012).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Pine Bluff (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Pine Bluff grew 15.8% from $35.50/hr (2019) to $41.12/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.31/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 Pine Bluff 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 Pine Bluff
Part-time civil engineers making approximately 24 hours a week would net around $52,600 annually, which differs considerably from the full-time estimate. Moreover, many civil engineers choose per diem or contract roles, where pay can vary dramatically. Per diem civil engineer pay in Pine Bluff often ranges between $100 and $180 per hour, highlighting a lucrative alternative for skilled professionals. Experienced engineers who step into specialized roles such as forensic analysis can bill rates soaring to $250-$500 per hour. The nature of work influences pay; consulting firms tend to offer different compensation structures compared to state DOTs or local government agencies. While hourly rates may be lower at public institutions, they often come with benefits that can make them attractive to some engineers who prioritize job security and comprehensive health insurance. Negotiation remains critical in this market; those entering or shifting within the field should be prepared to articulate their value, especially if they possess a PE license, which can open doors to higher-paying roles within both private and public sectors in Pine Bluff, AR.
More salary data for Pine Bluff, 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 Pine Bluff. 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 Pine Bluff 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