Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Kailua, HI: $58.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Kailua, HI runs $58.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $122,392 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Kailua's regional price level (BEA RPP 119.3, 19% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $73,430 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in Kailua, Hawaii, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $58.84, which is significantly higher than the national median of $49.76. This robust pay reflects the specialized nature of the profession and the demanding projects typical in an island setting where infrastructure development is impactful. For those working part-time, perhaps three days a week, this hourly rate translates into considerable earnings without committing to full-time labor. Employment settings range from engineering consulting firms outfitted with advanced CAD, Revit, and AutoCAD technologies to field offices on construction sites. For newly-entered engineers, hourly pay starts around $40.92, while seasoned professionals can command rates as high as $91.21 as they ascend within the field.
About the Kailua Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.92 | $327.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.85 | $374.80 |
| Median (P50) | $58.84 | $470.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75.05 | $600.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91.21 | $729.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kailua
Based on $58.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $58.84/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kailua, HI can expect to earn approximately $122,383 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $70,605. With a cost-of-living index of 119.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Kailua.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kailua
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,353.51 | $10,199 | $122,383 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,412.11 | $6,119 | $73,430 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $941.40 | $4,079 | $48,953 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Kailua) | $58.84 |
| 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 Kailua, HI earn a median of $122,392 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.26% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 0.90% below the Hawaii state average of $123,504.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $58.84/hr = $73,430/year (purchasing power: $61,550).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $122,383/year (purchasing power: $102,584).
CoL index: 119.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$49.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$58.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Kailua (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $50.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $50.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Kailua grew 15.8% from $49.50/hr (2019) to $57.33/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $60.39/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 Kailua 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 Kailua
Focusing on different work arrangements, a civil engineer in Kailua working 24 hours a week at the median rate would take home around $45,862 annually, far less than their full-time counterparts who might earn $122,392 per year. For those considering per-diem work, the earning potential dramatically increases, as many civil engineers in this capacity can bill anywhere from $100 to $180 per hour. Positions within specialty areas, such as forensic engineering or geotechnical consulting, often command even higher rates, ranging from $150 to $500 per hour. You’ll find significant variations in wages based on employer type in Kailua. Engineering consulting firms may offer competitive hourly pay but often come with less stability than government roles with benefits. When negotiating rates, civil engineers should weigh the trade-offs between higher pay and benefits packages. Knowledge of local industry standards is crucial for successful negotiations, especially within a market shaped by recent Infrastructure Law investments, which have intensified demand for skilled professionals in the region.
More salary data for Kailua, HI:
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 Kailua. 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 Kailua 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