Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Boulder, CO: $47.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Boulder, CO runs $47.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $97,809 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Boulder's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $44.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,687 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Boulder, Colorado, the civil engineer hourly pay is projected to be $47.03 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $49.76. This disparity may affect part-time professionals who work 24 hours a week, as they can expect a different overall compensation structure. A civil engineer working three days a week could take home a competitive salary, especially when working in environments such as consulting offices with advanced design tools like AutoCAD or Revit, construction site field offices, and government agencies. Entry-level positions in the field start at an hourly rate of approximately $32.70, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $72.89 per hour. It’s crucial to note that these hourly rates are estimated from annual salary data; thus, they are reflective of the overall market trends in Boulder.
About the Boulder Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.70 | $261.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.83 | $302.64 |
| Median (P50) | $47.03 | $376.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60.19 | $481.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72.89 | $583.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Boulder
Based on $47.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.03/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Boulder, CO can expect to earn approximately $97,812 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,430. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Boulder.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Boulder
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,881.00 | $8,151 | $97,812 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,128.60 | $4,891 | $58,687 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $752.40 | $3,260 | $39,125 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Boulder) | $47.03 |
| 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 Boulder, CO earn a median of $97,809 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.49% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.60% above the Colorado state average of $97,226.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.03/hr = $58,687/year (purchasing power: $55,893).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $97,812/year (purchasing power: $93,154).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$39.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Boulder (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.92/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Boulder grew 14.8% from $39.92/hr (2019) to $45.82/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.26/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 Boulder 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 Boulder
Considering the specifics of part-time employment, a civil engineer working 24 hours a week would take home roughly $55,000 annually, significantly less than a full-time equivalent. Many engineers opt for per-diem roles, where they can command higher pay rates, typically between $100 and $180 per hour, with specialized areas like structural consulting or forensic engineering yielding rates of $250 to $500 per hour. The rate variations depend on the employer type; major consulting firms like AECOM or Stantec might offer different hourly remuneration compared to federal agencies or local public works departments. Some civil engineers may trade off a lower hourly rate for benefits such as health insurance, focusing instead on job stability and long-term compensation. For those seeking to negotiate their pay, understanding the local market nuances and being aware of the benefits associated with different employment types can provide leverage in discussions about pay rates and employment conditions in Boulder, CO.
More salary data for Boulder, CO:
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 Boulder. 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 Boulder 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