Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Lake Charles, LA: $48.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Lake Charles, LA runs $48.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $100,054 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Lake Charles's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $56.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,032 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Civil engineers in Lake Charles, Louisiana, earn a median hourly rate of $48.10, which is slightly below the national median of $49.76. This hourly rate presents valuable opportunities for part-time civil engineers as well as per-diem workers, particularly in workplaces such as consulting firms, construction sites, and government offices. For example, a part-time civil engineer working three days a week could expect to earn approximately $3,000 monthly based on a 24-hour workweek, contributing to an appealing supplemental income. The hourly earnings in this field can range from $21.03 for entry-level positions to as much as $77.43 for highly experienced professionals, reflecting the diverse roles and responsibilities within the civil engineering sector. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, confirming the dynamic nature of salaries in relation to local and national trends.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.03 | $168.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.43 | $259.45 |
| Median (P50) | $48.10 | $384.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.61 | $508.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77.43 | $619.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Charles
Based on $48.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.10/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Charles, LA can expect to earn approximately $100,054 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,723. With a cost-of-living index of 85.85 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lake Charles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake Charles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,924.11 | $8,338 | $100,054 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,154.46 | $5,003 | $60,032 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $769.64 | $3,335 | $40,021 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Lake Charles) | $48.10 |
| 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 Lake Charles, LA earn a median of $100,054 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.32% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.70% below the Louisiana state average of $101,784.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.10/hr = $60,032/year (purchasing power: $69,925).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $100,054/year (purchasing power: $116,542).
CoL index: 85.852 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Lake Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.35/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Lake Charles grew 28.0% from $36.62/hr (2019) to $46.87/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.37/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 Lake Charles 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 Lake Charles
Looking at the earning potential for civil engineers in Lake Charles, part-time professionals can expect to bring home a respectable income, albeit less than full-time peers. Working just 24 hours a week can lead to annual earnings of about $72,000, which is competitive given the cost of living in the area, registered at a low index of 85.852. On the other hand, per-diem civil engineers have the ability to charge premium rates, with typical fees ranging from $100 to $180 per hour, and specialists like forensic engineers earning even more when acting as expert witnesses. Local employers such as AECOM or Jacobs may offer varied compensation depending on the type of work and benefits provided. Engineers may face a trade-off between lower hourly rates with comprehensive health benefits and higher hourly pay without benefits. For those negotiating their pay, understanding the local market trends and having clear expectations will serve them well in maximizing their civil engineer hourly pay in Lake Charles.
More salary data for Lake Charles, LA:
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 Lake Charles. 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