Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Lexington, KY: $50.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Lexington, KY runs $50.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,801 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Lexington's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.9, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,478 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lexington, Kentucky, civil engineers are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $50.86 in 2026, slightly surpassing the national median of $49.76. This competitive hourly pay indicates a favorable environment for both full-time and part-time professionals in the area. With the growing demand for civil engineering services driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, professionals working three days a week can find lucrative opportunities, completing assignments predominantly in consulting firms or governmental roles. This can lead to a significant hourly range, starting at approximately $33.23 for entry-level positions and reaching $68.23 for top earners as they advance their careers and expertise in specialized areas like structural or forensic engineering.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.23 | $265.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.10 | $312.82 |
| Median (P50) | $50.86 | $406.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64.86 | $518.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68.23 | $545.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lexington
Based on $50.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.86/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lexington, KY can expect to earn approximately $105,796 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,036. With a cost-of-living index of 92.89 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lexington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lexington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,034.54 | $8,816 | $105,796 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,220.72 | $5,290 | $63,478 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $813.81 | $3,527 | $42,318 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Lexington) | $50.86 |
| 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 Lexington, KY earn a median of $105,801 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.23% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 2.10% above the Kentucky state average of $103,625.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.86/hr = $63,478/year (purchasing power: $68,337).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,796/year (purchasing power: $113,895).
CoL index: 92.889 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Lexington grew 29.9% from $38.14/hr (2019) to $49.56/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.20/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 Lexington 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 Lexington
Looking at part-time opportunities, a civil engineer working 24 hours a week could bring home around $63,000 annually, showcasing the financial viability of balancing work and personal commitments. Meanwhile, per-diem civil engineers can expect to bill higher rates, often between $100 and $180 per hour, especially for specialized consulting roles. Positions with larger firms or federal agencies may offer lower hourly rates but compensate with benefits such as health insurance, which some professionals may prefer over higher pay without these perks. In Lexington's diverse engineering market, it is essential to negotiate effectively, understanding that rates can fluctuate based on employer type—whether it’s a consulting agency like Jacobs or a construction giant like Kiewit. Familiarity with local industry standards and expectations can empower civil engineers to make informed decisions regarding their career trajectories and earning potential in Kentucky.
More salary data for Lexington, KY:
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 Lexington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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