Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Fort Dodge, IA: $43.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Fort Dodge, IA runs $43.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $90,848 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Fort Dodge's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $54,512 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fort Dodge, the civil engineer hourly pay stands at $43.68, which is notably less than the national hourly median of $49.76. This wage offers varied opportunities for part-time and per-diem professionals in settings such as consulting firms and public works departments. For those working three days a week, the pay could average around $30,000 annually while enjoying a work-life balance that often allows flexibility to select project assignments. Entry-level engineers might start closer to $31.68 per hour, while established professionals could see rates nearing $65.52 at the high end. These figures are derived from annual salary estimates, reflecting the range from early-career positions to seasoned experts in civil engineering.
About the Fort Dodge 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) | $31.68 | $253.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.57 | $284.57 |
| Median (P50) | $43.68 | $349.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55.09 | $440.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.52 | $524.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Dodge
Based on $43.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.68/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Dodge, IA can expect to earn approximately $90,853 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $52,415. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Dodge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Dodge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,747.17 | $7,571 | $90,853 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,048.30 | $4,543 | $54,512 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $698.87 | $3,028 | $36,341 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Fort Dodge) | $43.68 |
| 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 Fort Dodge, IA earn a median of $90,848 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.22% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 8.20% below the Iowa state average of $98,963.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.68/hr = $54,512/year (purchasing power: $60,301).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $90,853/year (purchasing power: $100,501).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$42.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Fort Dodge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $42.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.83/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Fort Dodge grew 15.8% from $36.74/hr (2019) to $42.56/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.83/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 Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge
Examining the earnings potential of civil engineers reveals interesting opportunities among different work arrangements. Opting for a part-time schedule—working roughly 24 hours weekly—could yield an annual take-home pay around $30,600, a substantial difference when compared to full-time hours. On the other hand, per diem civil engineers in Fort Dodge tend to command significantly higher billing rates, often between $100 and $180 per hour. Specialty consultants, particularly those involved in geotechnical or hydraulic studies, may see rates of $150 to $250 per hour. These earnings vary considerably among employers, with prestigious consulting firms, state departments, and federal agencies often offering lower hourly rates but enhanced benefits like health insurance. In contrast, private sector contractors might provide higher hourly compensation without benefits. Negotiating for the best terms is key for civil engineers, leveraging local market demands and the impact of infrastructure spending to secure favorable pay while considering the trade-offs between hourly rates and job security.
More salary data for Fort Dodge, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for civil engineers in Fort Dodge in 2026?
How much do part-time civil engineers make in Fort Dodge?
Are civil engineers in Fort Dodge paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time civil engineer make per year in Fort Dodge?
Do civil engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Fort Dodge?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Iowa
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 Fort Dodge. 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 Fort Dodge 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