Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Salina, KS: $43.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Salina, KS runs $43.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $91,030 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Salina's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $54,614 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salina, Kansas, civil engineers can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $43.76, which falls significantly below the national median hourly rate of $49.76. This disparity highlights the financial dynamics specific to this region, where part-time positions—often working three days a week—could yield approximately $33,028 annually for those concentrating on consulting, construction, or government projects. The hourly range for civil engineers in this area spans from $32.33 for entry-level roles to as high as $66.95 for top-tier professionals, providing a spectrum of opportunities for those entering the workforce or seeking advancement. Many civil engineers in Salina perform their duties in a variety of settings, such as engineering consulting firms with specialized software like CAD, construction site field offices, and government offices, which impacts their working conditions and job market competitiveness.
About the Salina 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) | $32.33 | $258.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.22 | $289.75 |
| Median (P50) | $43.76 | $350.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.54 | $436.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66.95 | $535.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salina
Based on $43.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.76/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salina, KS can expect to earn approximately $91,024 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $52,514. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Salina.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salina
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,750.46 | $7,585 | $91,024 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,050.27 | $4,551 | $54,614 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $700.18 | $3,034 | $36,410 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Salina) | $43.76 |
| 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 Salina, KS earn a median of $91,030 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.04% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 3.20% below the Kansas state average of $94,039.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.76/hr = $54,614/year (purchasing power: $60,082).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $91,024/year (purchasing power: $100,136).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$42.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Salina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $42.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Salina grew 15.8% from $36.81/hr (2019) to $42.64/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.91/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 Salina 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 Salina
While the hourly rate reflects the base pay, part-time civil engineers have a unique earning potential. Working a 24-hour week would lead to a take-home of about $33,028 annually, considerably less than a full-time colleague. On the other hand, per diem civil engineers, billing at rates from $100 to $180 per hour, can leverage flexible schedules and higher compensation, especially those in specialized areas like geotechnical consulting or structural engineering. Negotiation skills become vital as hourly rates differ across employer types—engineering firms, Fortune 500 construction companies, and federal agencies often offer varying pay scales due to their funding sources and project scopes. While some may opt for lower hourly pay to secure benefits such as health insurance, others may chase higher fees with fewer perks. For civil engineers in Salina, understanding the local market nuances and effectively negotiating can lead to better pay and increased job satisfaction amid the growing demand driven by the BIL infrastructure spending.
More salary data for Salina, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for civil engineers in Salina in 2026?
How much do part-time civil engineers make in Salina?
Are civil engineers in Salina paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time civil engineer make per year in Salina?
Do civil engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Salina?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Kansas
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 Salina. 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 Salina 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