Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Muscatine, IA: $44.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Muscatine, IA runs $44.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $92,434 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Muscatine's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $55,460 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Muscatine, IA, civil engineers are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $44.44 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $49.76. This discrepancy may influence part-time professionals working three days a week, who would still benefit from a respectable income primarily derived from their hourly wages. In typical settings—such as consulting firm offices equipped with CAD and Revit workstations or remote plan-checking environments—these engineers can expect a pay range from $33.52 for entry-level positions to as much as $68.08 for top earners in the field. Understanding this hourly framework is crucial for anyone considering a career as a civil engineer in Muscatine.
About the Muscatine 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) | $33.52 | $268.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.13 | $297.05 |
| Median (P50) | $44.44 | $355.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55.98 | $447.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68.08 | $544.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Muscatine
Based on $44.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.44/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Muscatine, IA can expect to earn approximately $92,433 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,327. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Muscatine.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Muscatine
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,777.55 | $7,703 | $92,433 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,066.53 | $4,622 | $55,460 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $711.02 | $3,081 | $36,973 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Muscatine) | $44.44 |
| 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 Muscatine, IA earn a median of $92,434 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.68% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 6.60% below the Iowa state average of $98,965.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.44/hr = $55,460/year (purchasing power: $61,349).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $92,433/year (purchasing power: $102,249).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Muscatine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.38/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.03/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Muscatine grew 15.8% from $37.38/hr (2019) to $43.30/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.61/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 Muscatine 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 Muscatine
Examining the earning potential for part-time civil engineers, those working a 24-hour week could expect to make approximately $56,000 annually, while full-time counterparts earn much more. Per diem civil engineers in Muscatine, often hired on a 1099 basis, can capitalize on lucrative hourly rates, ranging from $100 to $180, especially for specialized roles such as expert witnesses in structural or forensic engineering, who command fees of $250 to $500 per hour. The differences in pay can be pronounced depending on the type of employer, whether state DOTs, local public works departments, or large firms like Bechtel and Jacobs. Some engineers may prioritize job security and health benefits at firms offering lower hourly rates instead of freelance arrangements without perks. For those in Muscatine, successfully negotiating hourly rates based on project complexity and employer demands is a vital skill that can enhance one’s position within the industry.
More salary data for Muscatine, 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 Muscatine. 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 Muscatine 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