Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Urbandale, IA: $45.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Urbandale, IA runs $45.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $94,562 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Urbandale's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $56,740 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineer hourly pay in Urbandale, Iowa, reaches a median of $45.47, slightly below the national median of $49.76. This hourly rate provides valuable insights for those considering part-time roles or per-diem work within the field. For instance, a civil engineer working three days a week may find opportunities within consulting firms, construction site offices, or government agencies, where they can effectively utilize software like CAD, Revit, or AutoCAD. Entry-level professionals can expect to earn around $32.59 per hour, while top earners in the profession, often possessing extensive experience or specialized skill sets, can earn as much as $70.47 per hour in Urbandale. These estimates derive from projected annual salaries, and they serve as a guiding framework for those navigating opportunities in civil engineering roles across the region.
About the Urbandale 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) | $32.59 | $260.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.93 | $295.41 |
| Median (P50) | $45.47 | $363.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57.73 | $461.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70.47 | $563.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Urbandale
Based on $45.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.47/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Urbandale, IA can expect to earn approximately $94,567 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,558. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Urbandale.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Urbandale
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,818.60 | $7,881 | $94,567 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,091.16 | $4,728 | $56,740 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $727.44 | $3,152 | $37,827 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Urbandale) | $45.47 |
| 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 Urbandale, IA earn a median of $94,562 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.63% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $99,018.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.47/hr = $56,740/year (purchasing power: $62,766).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $94,567/year (purchasing power: $104,610).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Urbandale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Urbandale grew 15.8% from $38.25/hr (2019) to $44.30/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.66/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 Urbandale 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 Urbandale
Considering part-time hours, a civil engineer working just 24 hours each week could take home about $56,790 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Meanwhile, per-diem civil engineer pay in Urbandale can vary widely, with many experienced professionals billing anywhere from $100 to $180 an hour when working independently. For specialized roles, rates may be even higher; structural or forensic engineers acting as expert witnesses can command fees between $250 and $500 per hour. Employers in Urbandale, from engineering consulting firms like WSP and AECOM to local public works and federal agencies, may offer different rates based on the demand for civil engineers in specific sectors. While some engineers may prefer the financial stability of hourly wages with benefits, others are willing to accept lower pay for the flexibility of freelance work. When negotiating hourly rates in Urbandale, it’s advisable to research prevailing market rates, consider adjunct benefits, and clearly define project scope to ensure fairness in compensation within the civil engineering sector.
More salary data for Urbandale, 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 Urbandale. 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 Urbandale 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