Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Coralville, IA: $45.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Coralville, IA runs $45.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $94,138 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Coralville's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $56,484 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Civil engineers in Coralville, Iowa, earn a median hourly pay of $45.26, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $49.76. This discrepancy suggests that those engaging in part-time or per-diem roles, often common in project-based scenarios, might find themselves earning less compared to their national counterparts. Civil engineers typically work in various environments, including consulting firm offices equipped with technological tools like CAD, and construction site field offices. For those seeking entry-level positions, hourly pay ranges from approximately $31.74, whereas top earners can expect to make up to $70.15. These estimates derive from annual salary data, highlighting how professional experience and specific industry roles can significantly influence pay rates.
About the Coralville Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.74 | $253.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.04 | $288.35 |
| Median (P50) | $45.26 | $362.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55.39 | $443.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70.15 | $561.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Coralville
Based on $45.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.26/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Coralville, IA can expect to earn approximately $94,140 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,312. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Coralville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Coralville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,810.39 | $7,845 | $94,140 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,086.24 | $4,707 | $56,484 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $724.16 | $3,138 | $37,656 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Coralville) | $45.26 |
| 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 Coralville, IA earn a median of $94,138 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.04% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 4.90% below the Iowa state average of $98,989.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.26/hr = $56,484/year (purchasing power: $62,483).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $94,140/year (purchasing power: $104,138).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.26/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Coralville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.51/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.38/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Coralville grew 15.8% from $38.07/hr (2019) to $44.10/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.45/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 Coralville 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 Coralville
Working part-time, a civil engineer in Coralville focusing on a three-day work schedule could earn roughly $56,753 annually, compared to their full-time peers. Per-diem civil engineers can see diverse pay structures, with billing rates between $100-$180/hr for routine consulting work; niche experts in structural or forensic engineering could command rates of $250-$500/hr for their specialized guidance. The variation in hourly rates is also influenced by the type of employer, whether it be a large engineering consultancy, a Fortune 500 construction company, or local government agencies. While some civil engineers may settle for lower hourly rates with additional benefits like health insurance, others may prioritize higher pay without those perks. Negotiation strategies in Coralville must take these parameters into account, ensuring that professionals find compensation that reflects their skills and market demand in a growing industry shaped by recent infrastructure investment initiatives.
More salary data for Coralville, IA:
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 Coralville. 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 Coralville 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