Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Athens, GA: $37.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Athens, GA runs $37.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,666 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Athens's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.3, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,198 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Athens, Georgia, the civil engineer hourly pay is projected to be $37.82 in 2026, which falls significantly below the national median of $49.76 per hour. This difference highlights the budgetary constraints often faced by local employers, including consulting firms, government agencies, and construction companies. For civil engineers considering part-time positions, earning $37.82 can translate to a weekly income of around $1,136 for those working three days a week, equating to a respectable sum for a flexible work schedule. Moreover, entry-level engineers might start at about $27.92 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn up to $62.14, underscoring the wide range of compensation based on skills and experience in the Athens area.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.92 | $223.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.90 | $255.18 |
| Median (P50) | $37.82 | $302.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.79 | $382.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.14 | $497.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Athens
Based on $37.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.82/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Athens, GA can expect to earn approximately $78,664 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,383. With a cost-of-living index of 93.34 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Athens.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Athens
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,512.77 | $6,555 | $78,664 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $907.66 | $3,933 | $47,198 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $605.11 | $2,622 | $31,466 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Athens) | $37.82 |
| 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 Athens, GA earn a median of $78,666 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.99% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 6.60% below the Georgia state average of $84,225.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.82/hr = $47,198/year (purchasing power: $50,564).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,664/year (purchasing power: $84,274).
CoL index: 93.343 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Athens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Athens grew 20.8% from $30.50/hr (2019) to $36.85/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.81/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 Athens 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 Athens
When evaluating earning potential, part-time civil engineers in Athens can expect varying annual take-home figures based on their work schedules. Working just three days a week means a civil engineer could net approximately $59,072 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Per diem civil engineer pay in Athens can be quite lucrative, with some professionals billing between $100 and $180 per hour for contracted work, particularly in areas like forensic analysis or geotechnical consulting, where specialized skills are highly valued. Employers such as engineering consulting firms and Fortune 500 construction companies may offer different hourly rates and benefits, leading many engineers to negotiate trade-offs between higher pay and health insurance. Tips for negotiating hourly rates include researching local market standards, understanding the impact of your credentials such as PE licensure, and clearly articulating your value to potential employers in Athens.
More salary data for Athens, GA:
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 Athens. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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