Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Dubuque, IA: $48.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Dubuque, IA runs $48.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,819 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Dubuque's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.3, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $56.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,095 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dubuque, Iowa, the civil engineer hourly pay is projected to be $48.95 for 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $49.76. This hourly rate can be particularly appealing for part-time civil engineers working three days a week, providing significant flexibility. Those involved in a range of typical settings—from consulting firm offices equipped with CAD and Revit tools to construction site field offices and governmental agencies—can take advantage of this pay structure. Entry-level positions in Dubuque start around $31.47, reaching up to $65.93 for top earners, showcasing the broad financial spectrum available in the profession according to the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.47 | $251.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.07 | $304.52 |
| Median (P50) | $48.95 | $391.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.34 | $506.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.93 | $527.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dubuque
Based on $48.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.95/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dubuque, IA can expect to earn approximately $101,825 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,745. With a cost-of-living index of 87.33 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dubuque.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dubuque
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,958.18 | $8,485 | $101,825 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,174.91 | $5,091 | $61,095 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $783.27 | $3,394 | $40,730 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Dubuque) | $48.95 |
| 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 Dubuque, IA earn a median of $101,819 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.62% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 2.90% above the Iowa state average of $98,950.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.95/hr = $61,095/year (purchasing power: $69,961).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,825/year (purchasing power: $116,601).
CoL index: 87.328 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Dubuque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Dubuque grew 23.2% from $38.73/hr (2019) to $47.70/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.24/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 Dubuque 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 Dubuque
Part-time civil engineers in Dubuque who work a three-day schedule, totaling around 24 hours a week, can expect to earn a significant income, yet still fall short of that of their full-time counterparts. Earning around $48,000 annually based on this part-time commitment illustrates the potential for a solid income while maintaining work-life balance. For those opting for per-diem work, the pay scale often rises significantly; per diem civil engineer pay in Dubuque can vary widely, with common billing rates ranging from $100 to $180 per hour. Specialized areas, such as structural consulting or forensic engineering, can see billing rates soar to $250 or even $500 per hour, particularly for expert witness roles. Rates differ depending on the employer type, with engineering consulting firms and private developers typically offering competitive compensation compared to government jobs. As engineers evaluate their options, some may choose lower hourly rates with benefits at larger firms, while others chase higher pay in contract roles without benefits, thus emphasizing the necessity of effective negotiation. Understanding the local job market and employer dynamics can be crucial for successful wage discussions in Dubuque's civil engineering sector.
More salary data for Dubuque, 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 Dubuque. 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