Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Portage, MI: $46.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Portage, MI runs $46.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $96,122 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Portage's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,675 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Portage, Michigan, civil engineers earn a median hourly pay of $46.21, which falls below the national hourly median of $49.76. This rate reflects the local market where many civil engineers work part-time or as per-diem contractors in environments such as consulting firms, government agencies, or construction sites. For example, a civil engineer working three days a week can expect to earn a steady income while balancing other pursuits. The hourly pay range in Portage spans from $32.41 for entry-level positions to as high as $71.63 for top-tier individuals with substantial experience and qualifications. It's essential to understand that these figures are derived from annual salary estimates and translated into hourly wages to provide an accurate perspective on what engineers can expect in day-to-day work settings.
About the Portage Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.41 | $259.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.97 | $295.74 |
| Median (P50) | $46.21 | $369.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59.16 | $473.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71.63 | $573.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portage
Based on $46.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.21/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portage, MI can expect to earn approximately $96,126 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,457. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Portage.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portage
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,848.57 | $8,010 | $96,126 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,109.14 | $4,806 | $57,675 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $739.43 | $3,204 | $38,450 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Portage) | $46.21 |
| 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 Portage, MI earn a median of $96,122 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.12% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.70% below the Michigan state average of $96,800.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.21/hr = $57,675/year (purchasing power: $61,884).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $96,126/year (purchasing power: $103,139).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Portage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Portage grew 15.8% from $38.88/hr (2019) to $45.03/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.43/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 Portage 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 Portage
When looking at the overall earning potential for a part-time civil engineer, working 24 hours a week at the median hourly rate translates to approximately $57,000 annually, which offers a viable income while allowing for flexibility. Per-diem civil engineers often leverage their credentials to command higher rates, billing from $100 to $180 per hour in various contract roles. Specialized engineers, particularly those serving as expert witnesses, can earn between $250 and $500 per hour, significantly boosting their annual earnings. The hourly rates may vary based on employer type, with major firms like AECOM and Jacobs generally offering more competitive pay compared to smaller local firms. This variation creates trade-offs, as some engineers might accept lower hourly pay for better benefits, such as health insurance, while others prioritize higher pay without benefits. Negotiating hourly rates in Portage may require highlighting local market knowledge and expertise, particularly for roles that require a PE license, which is essential for advancement in this field.
More salary data for Portage, MI:
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 Portage. 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 Portage 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