Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Carbondale, IL: $44.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Carbondale, IL runs $44.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $93,312 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Carbondale's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $55,985 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Carbondale, Illinois, civil engineer hourly pay is projected to be $44.86 in 2026, which is 9.84% lower than the national hourly median of $49.76. This figure offers significant insights for those considering part-time or per-diem positions in the field. Typically, civil engineers in this area might work in environments such as consulting firms with advanced design software, construction site offices, or even remotely. For a part-time engineer working three days a week, this hourly rate translates into substantial weekly earnings, making it feasible for those who wish to balance work with other commitments. Entry-level workers can expect to earn approximately $34.06 per hour, while top earners at the 90th percentile can make as much as $68.98 per hour, reflecting a broad range of opportunities based on experience and specialization.
About the Carbondale Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.06 | $272.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.65 | $301.24 |
| Median (P50) | $44.86 | $358.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.67 | $453.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68.98 | $551.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Carbondale
Based on $44.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.86/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Carbondale, IL can expect to earn approximately $93,308 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,831. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Carbondale.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Carbondale
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,794.38 | $7,776 | $93,308 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,076.63 | $4,665 | $55,985 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $717.75 | $3,110 | $37,323 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Carbondale) | $44.86 |
| 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 Carbondale, IL earn a median of $93,312 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.84% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 6.30% below the Illinois state average of $99,586.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.86/hr = $55,985/year (purchasing power: $57,657).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $93,308/year (purchasing power: $96,095).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+13.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Carbondale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.15/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Carbondale grew 7.3% from $40.74/hr (2019) to $43.71/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.04/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 Carbondale 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 Carbondale
Exploring the potential for part-time work, a civil engineer in Carbondale working 24 hours a week could bring home around $55,889 annually, a considerable amount compared to a full-time salary. In contrast, many per-diem civil engineers can command billing rates between $100-$180 per hour, especially those who operate as independent contractors or 1099 workers. For highly specialized roles, such as expert witness testimony in legal proceedings, fees can escalate to $250-$500 per hour, indicating that hourly earnings can vary widely based on the project's nature and the employer type. Different sectors such as engineering consulting firms and government agencies typically pay different rates; for instance, local DOTs may offer stability but potentially lower hourly rates compared to private industry. Additionally, many engineers weigh the trade-offs between securing employment with benefits versus accepting higher pay with no additional insurance coverage. Therefore, those negotiating their hourly rate in Carbondale should focus on the added value they bring to various employers, particularly in light of the increasing demand spurred by infrastructure initiatives, as well as the evolving market dynamics influenced by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for Carbondale, IL:
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 Carbondale. 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 Carbondale 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