Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Metairie, LA: $53.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Metairie, LA runs $53.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $111,491 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Metairie's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $59.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $66,897 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in Metairie, Louisiana, can anticipate a median hourly pay of $53.60 in 2026. This figure exceeds the national median hourly rate of $49.76, reflecting the regional demand for skilled engineers amidst ongoing infrastructure projects. For part-time workers, like those who opt to work three days a week, their earnings can vary widely; with a typical schedule, they can earn around $51,532 annually based on a 24-hour work week. Those entering the field may see hourly rates beginning at approximately $33.90, while more experienced engineers can command rates reaching $83.08. This hourly data is estimated based on annual salary figures, bearing in mind the local cost of living index of 90.3, which indicates a more affordable environment compared to the national average.
About the Metairie Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.90 | $271.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.64 | $349.11 |
| Median (P50) | $53.60 | $428.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68.61 | $548.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83.08 | $664.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Metairie
Based on $53.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $53.60/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Metairie, LA can expect to earn approximately $111,496 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $64,324. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Metairie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Metairie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,144.15 | $9,291 | $111,496 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,286.49 | $5,575 | $66,897 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $857.66 | $3,717 | $44,598 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Metairie) | $53.60 |
| 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 Metairie, LA earn a median of $111,491 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.73% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 9.50% above the Louisiana state average of $101,818.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $53.60/hr = $66,897/year (purchasing power: $74,083).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $111,496/year (purchasing power: $123,472).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$45.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$52.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$53.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Metairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $52.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Metairie grew 15.8% from $45.09/hr (2019) to $52.23/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $55.01/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 Metairie 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 Metairie
Analyzing civil engineer hourly pay in Metairie reveals intriguing dynamics, especially for those considering part-time or per-diem positions. A civil engineer working on a part-time basis may earn a considerably lower total compared to their full-time counterparts, leading to an annual take-home that depends on their specific schedule and additional benefits. For per-diem civil engineers, rates can elevate significantly; those with specialized expertise can charge upwards of $100-$180 per hour, while expert witness roles often command fees between $250-$500 per hour. Employer types also influence pay; while consulting firms like AECOM or Jacobs may offer competitive rates and benefits, highly skilled contractors may opt for higher hourly pay without benefits from agencies. This trade-off often leads engineers to consider factors such as health insurance when negotiating their hourly compensation in Metairie, a critical aspect of their overall job satisfaction.
More salary data for Metairie, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for civil engineers in Metairie in 2026?
How much do part-time civil engineers make in Metairie?
Are civil engineers in Metairie paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time civil engineer make per year in Metairie?
Do civil engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Metairie?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Louisiana
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 Metairie. 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 Metairie 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