Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY: $50.65 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY runs $50.65 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,350 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Louisville/Jefferson County's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,209 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Louisville/Jefferson County, civil engineer hourly pay is projected to be $50.65 in 2026, which is slightly above the national median hourly rate of $49.76. This competitive rate positions civil engineers well within a range that accommodates various working arrangements, including part-time roles and per-diem positions typically found in consulting firms, construction sites, or government offices. Entry-level civil engineers can expect to earn around $34.02 per hour, while those who reach the upper end of the pay scale can earn as much as $72.95 per hour. The hourly figures provided are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, ensuring these estimates reflect the current trends influencing the local engineering market.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.02 | $272.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.36 | $314.87 |
| Median (P50) | $50.65 | $405.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.68 | $493.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72.95 | $583.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Louisville/Jefferson County
Based on $50.65/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.65/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY can expect to earn approximately $105,348 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,777. With a cost-of-living index of 93.07 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Louisville/Jefferson County.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Louisville/Jefferson County
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,025.92 | $8,779 | $105,348 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,215.55 | $5,267 | $63,209 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $810.37 | $3,512 | $42,139 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Louisville/Jefferson County) | $50.65 |
| 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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY earn a median of $105,350 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.80% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 1.70% above the Kentucky state average of $103,589.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.65/hr = $63,209/year (purchasing power: $67,912).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,348/year (purchasing power: $113,187).
CoL index: 93.074 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.65/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Louisville/Jefferson County (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.65/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Louisville/Jefferson County grew 24.5% from $39.64/hr (2019) to $49.35/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.98/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 Louisville/Jefferson County 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 Louisville/Jefferson County
Considering part-time options, a civil engineer working just three days a week could earn around $39,598 annually, which is a significant income for a non-full-time position. For those looking towards per-diem opportunities, the typical pay range varies widely, with agency civil engineers often billing between $100-$180 per hour, while specialized roles, such as expert witnesses, can command $250-$500 per hour. Hourly rates can also fluctuate depending on the type of employer, with larger engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs potentially offering more stable work and benefits compared to smaller firms or specialized contractors. Engineers in Louisville/Jefferson County may find it beneficial to negotiate their rates, considering the trade-offs between higher hourly pay without benefits and roles that offer attractive health packages at lower rates. Understanding the local market dynamics, especially related to the recent infrastructure spending, can also provide critical leverage in salary discussions.
More salary data for Louisville/Jefferson County, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for civil engineers in Louisville/Jefferson County in 2026?
How much do part-time civil engineers make in Louisville/Jefferson County?
Are civil engineers in Louisville/Jefferson County paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time civil engineer make per year in Louisville/Jefferson County?
Do civil engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Louisville/Jefferson County?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Kentucky
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 Louisville/Jefferson County. 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