Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Henderson, KY: $48.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Henderson, KY runs $48.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,320 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Henderson's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,788 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Henderson, Kentucky, civil engineers earn a median hourly pay of $48.71, which is slightly lower than the national median of $49.76 per hour. This rate reflects the competitive landscape of civil engineering roles in the area, where engineering consulting firms, construction companies, and government agencies present a variety of work environments. Those working part-time—say three days a week—could earn approximately $46,862 annually, while per-diem civil engineers typically receive rates between $100 to $180 per hour. The hourly wage in Henderson ranges from $32.62 for entry-level positions to $75.50 for top earners, showing a wide variance based on experience and the complexity of projects. This disparity highlights the financial potential for engineers equipped with industry tools such as CAD, Revit, and AutoCAD, especially in specialized fields.
About the Henderson Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.62 | $260.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.86 | $318.89 |
| Median (P50) | $48.71 | $389.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60.27 | $482.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75.50 | $604.04 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Henderson
Based on $48.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.71/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Henderson, KY can expect to earn approximately $101,313 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,450. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Henderson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Henderson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,948.33 | $8,443 | $101,313 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,169.00 | $5,066 | $60,788 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $779.33 | $3,377 | $40,525 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Henderson) | $48.71 |
| 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 Henderson, KY earn a median of $101,320 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.10% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 2.20% below the Kentucky state average of $103,600.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.71/hr = $60,788/year (purchasing power: $68,071).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,313/year (purchasing power: $113,452).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.46/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Henderson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.46/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Henderson grew 15.8% from $40.97/hr (2019) to $47.46/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.99/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 Henderson 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 Henderson
Examining the earning potential in 2026 reveals intriguing trends for civil engineers in Henderson. A part-time civil engineer working a 24-hour week could expect a take-home income of around $46,862 annually, providing flexibility but with lower overall earnings compared to full-time counterparts. For many professionals, the option of per-diem work is attractive; experienced civil engineers specializing in structural or forensic roles can command significantly higher rates, sometimes billing $250 to $500 per hour for expert witness work. Moreover, the employment landscape varies widely; civil engineers may find differing hourly compensation based on their employer type, from local public works to Fortune 500 construction firms. While some may prefer higher hourly rates without benefits, others may opt for stability and health insurance with a slightly lower pay. Negotiating hourly rates effectively hinges on understanding the local job market dynamics, which can vary considerably between larger consulting firms and smaller local projects.
More salary data for Henderson, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for civil engineers in Henderson in 2026?
How much do part-time civil engineers make in Henderson?
Are civil engineers in Henderson paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time civil engineer make per year in Henderson?
Do civil engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Henderson?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 Henderson. 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 Henderson 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