Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Garden City, KS: $44.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Garden City, KS runs $44.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $93,233 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Garden City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $55,946 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Garden City, Kansas, can expect a median hourly pay of $44.83, which falls below the national hourly median of $49.76. For professionals working part-time or on a per-diem basis, this hourly rate offers a fair estimate of their potential earnings. A civil engineer working three days a week could effectively manage a comfortable work-life balance, while needing to consider how this translates into their annual income. Entry-level engineers might earn as little as $31.15 per hour, whereas top earners in the field could receive up to $68.96 per hour. These figures are derived from annual salary data, but they provide valuable insights into the various pay scales available in the city, which accommodates both consulting and fieldwork settings alike.
About the Garden City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.15 | $249.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.68 | $285.48 |
| Median (P50) | $44.83 | $358.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57.18 | $457.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68.96 | $551.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Garden City
Based on $44.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.83/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Garden City, KS can expect to earn approximately $93,244 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,795. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Garden City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Garden City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,793.15 | $7,770 | $93,244 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,075.89 | $4,662 | $55,946 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $717.26 | $3,108 | $37,298 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Garden City) | $44.83 |
| 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 Garden City, KS earn a median of $93,233 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.91% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.90% below the Kansas state average of $94,080.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.83/hr = $55,946/year (purchasing power: $61,547).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $93,244/year (purchasing power: $102,579).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Garden City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.71/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Garden City grew 15.8% from $37.71/hr (2019) to $43.68/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.01/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 Garden City 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 Garden City
Looking at the earning landscape, a part-time civil engineer in Garden City who works 24 hours a week would gross about $55,625 annually, a competitive figure compared to the hours invested. Among civil engineering professionals, per-diem work is attractive yet variable; many civil engineers earning as independent contractors can charge rates ranging from $100 to $180 per hour, with established experts in niche fields potentially earning up to $500 per hour. Hourly wages also fluctuate depending on employer types—engineering firms, Fortune 500 construction companies, or government agencies like the state DOT may offer differing pay scales and benefits. Some engineers may opt for lower pay with benefits in structured environments, while others pursue higher rates without a safety net. For those operating in Garden City, knowing how to negotiate hourly rates can significantly impact overall earnings and job satisfaction.
More salary data for Garden City, KS:
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 Garden City. 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 Garden City 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