Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Nicholasville, KY: $49.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Nicholasville, KY runs $49.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,037 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Nicholasville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,223 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Nicholasville, Kentucky, civil engineer hourly pay stands at a median of $49.06, which is slightly below the national median of $49.76. This hourly rate reflects the competitive yet accessible nature of engineering work in the area, allowing civil engineers to not only take full-time roles but also consider part-time opportunities, such as working three days a week. For part-time civil engineers, a reduced schedule can still yield a decent income, especially when considering the typical work environments—such as consulting firms equipped with CAD and Revit workstations, or field offices at construction sites. The hourly range varies significantly, from $33.57 for entry-level positions to as high as $74.87 for top earners, illustrating the diverse opportunities available within the civil engineering field in Nicholasville, KY.
About the Nicholasville 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) | $33.57 | $268.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.67 | $309.37 |
| Median (P50) | $49.06 | $392.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.15 | $489.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74.87 | $598.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Nicholasville
Based on $49.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.06/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Nicholasville, KY can expect to earn approximately $102,039 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,869. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Nicholasville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Nicholasville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,962.29 | $8,503 | $102,039 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,177.37 | $5,102 | $61,223 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $784.91 | $3,401 | $40,816 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Nicholasville) | $49.06 |
| 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 Nicholasville, KY earn a median of $102,037 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.41% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.50% below the Kentucky state average of $103,591.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.06/hr = $61,223/year (purchasing power: $68,559).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,039/year (purchasing power: $114,265).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Nicholasville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Nicholasville grew 15.8% from $41.27/hr (2019) to $47.80/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.35/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 Nicholasville 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 Nicholasville
Exploring the earnings potential further, a civil engineer working part-time at 24 hours per week could expect to earn about $61,607 annually, which provides a solid income compared to many other professions in the area. This position offers the flexibility to pursue additional projects, especially for those interested in per-diem work. Per diem civil engineer pay in Nicholasville can range widely; independent contractors often bill between $100 and $180 per hour, while specialty consultants command up to $250 for their expertise. Employment settings also influence hourly rates, with consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs typically offering more competitive pay than local public works departments. Moreover, civil engineers choosing salaried positions may prioritize benefits, holistically evaluating trade-offs between lower hourly pay with health insurance versus higher pay in contract roles offering no benefits. Negotiating tips for professionals in Nicholasville include understanding local market rates and leveraging their qualifications, particularly those holding PE licenses and considering ongoing infrastructure investments, to secure more favorable terms in their contracts.
More salary data for Nicholasville, 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 Nicholasville. 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 Nicholasville 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