Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Durango, CO: $43.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Durango, CO runs $43.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $91,148 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Durango's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $41.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $54,691 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in Durango, Colorado, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $43.82 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $49.76. This hourly pay is significant for both full-time and part-time practitioners in the field. For instance, a civil engineer working three days a week could take home about $34,000 annually, while those pursuing per-diem opportunities may find flexible arrangements in various work settings — whether at consulting firm offices with state-of-the-art CAD workstations, on construction sites, or within government-related environments. Compensation for civil engineers in Durango can range from $33.34 at the entry-level to $67.51 for those at the top of their field, allowing for opportunities across various sectors and experiences.
About the Durango 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) | $33.34 | $266.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.79 | $294.34 |
| Median (P50) | $43.82 | $350.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.73 | $429.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67.51 | $540.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Durango
Based on $43.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.82/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Durango, CO can expect to earn approximately $91,152 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $52,588. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Durango.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Durango
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,752.92 | $7,596 | $91,152 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,051.75 | $4,558 | $54,691 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $701.17 | $3,038 | $36,461 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Durango) | $43.82 |
| 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 Durango, CO earn a median of $91,148 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.93% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 6.30% below the Colorado state average of $97,276.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.82/hr = $54,691/year (purchasing power: $52,087).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $91,152/year (purchasing power: $86,811).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$36.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$42.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Durango (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.08/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.25/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $42.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Durango grew 15.8% from $36.86/hr (2019) to $42.70/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.98/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 Durango 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 Durango
For those considering part-time positions, the annual income from a 24-hour workweek underscores the importance of understanding how hourly rates play out across job types. Many civil engineers, particularly those in specialized roles or with PE licensing, opt for billing rates between $100 and $180 per hour on a per-diem basis, contributing a potential advantage when cash flow is prioritized. Furthermore, experienced professionals serving as expert witnesses can command hourly fees from $250 to $500. Hourly rates may fluctuate depending on the employer: established engineering consulting firms tend to offer lower rates with additional benefits, while larger construction companies may provide higher hourly wages in lieu of perks like health insurance. Successful negotiation strategies in Durango include researching typical rates specific to your expertise and job type while demonstrating value through qualifications like NSPE membership or PE licensure. Understanding the market dynamics of civil engineer hourly pay in Durango, CO, equips professionals to make informed career choices aligned with their financial and lifestyle goals.
More salary data for Durango, 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 Durango. 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 Durango 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