Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Clearwater, FL: $49.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Clearwater, FL runs $49.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,905 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Clearwater's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,338 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Clearwater, the projected median hourly rate for civil engineers in 2026 is $49.95, a slight increase compared to the national median of $49.76. This figure indicates a healthy earning potential for professionals working in various environments, whether in consulting firms with technical CAD and engineering software, or on construction sites where fieldwork is fundamental. Civil engineers in Clearwater can expect to earn between $31.89 and $77.42 per hour, allowing for a diverse range of compensation based on experience and specialization. Entry-level positions may start at the lower end of the spectrum, while seasoned engineers, particularly those in prominent roles or specialized fields, can command salaries that reflect their expertise and responsibilities.
About the Clearwater Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.89 | $255.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.88 | $303.05 |
| Median (P50) | $49.95 | $399.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.94 | $511.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77.42 | $619.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Clearwater
Based on $49.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.95/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Clearwater, FL can expect to earn approximately $103,896 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,940. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Clearwater.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Clearwater
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,998.00 | $8,658 | $103,896 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,198.80 | $5,195 | $62,338 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $799.20 | $3,463 | $41,558 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Clearwater) | $49.95 |
| 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 Clearwater, FL earn a median of $103,905 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.40% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 3.90% above the Florida state average of $100,004.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.95/hr = $62,338/year (purchasing power: $61,843).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,896/year (purchasing power: $103,071).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$42.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Clearwater (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Clearwater grew 15.8% from $42.02/hr (2019) to $48.67/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.26/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 Clearwater 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 Clearwater
Considering part-time opportunities, a civil engineer who works three days a week, amounting to 24 hours, could expect to earn approximately $62,000 annually. However, the shift toward per-diem arrangements has become more common, with civil engineers often billing between $100 and $180 per hour for contract work or consulting roles. More experienced professionals, particularly forensic engineers or those providing expert testimony, can see rates climb to between $250 and $500 per hour. In Clearwater's competitive job market, hourly rates differ significantly across employers—from major engineering consultancies like AECOM and Jacobs to local public works departments and private sector projects. While some may take on roles that offer higher hourly wages without benefits, others prioritize job security and health insurance, which often leads them to accept lower hourly rates with a more traditional employment structure. Negotiating hourly rates requires an understanding of employer dynamics, so aspiring civil engineers should leverage their credentials and local demand for their services when discussing compensation.
More salary data for Clearwater, FL:
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 Clearwater. 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 Clearwater 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