Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Ypsilanti, MI: $43.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Ypsilanti, MI runs $43.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $89,997 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Ypsilanti's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,999 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Ypsilanti, Michigan, a civil engineer earns a median hourly rate of $43.27, which reflects a competitive but slightly lower wage compared to the national median of $49.76 per hour. This rate is indicative of the financial landscape local professionals face. The hourly pay structure allows for varied working arrangements, beneficial for part-time civil engineers looking to balance their duties across different projects or who prefer consulting roles in office environments fitted with advanced design tools like CAD or Revit. As for new graduates, entry-level positions may start around $32.38 per hour, while more experienced engineers within the top 10% can command upwards of $67.07 per hour. Overall, these figures suggest a robust opportunity for flexible work in diverse settings, including government offices and construction sites across Ypsilanti.
About the Ypsilanti 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) | $32.38 | $259.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.94 | $287.53 |
| Median (P50) | $43.27 | $346.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55.19 | $441.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67.07 | $536.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ypsilanti
Based on $43.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.27/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ypsilanti, MI can expect to earn approximately $89,999 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,923. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ypsilanti.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ypsilanti
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,730.75 | $7,500 | $89,999 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,038.45 | $4,500 | $53,999 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $692.30 | $3,000 | $36,000 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Ypsilanti) | $43.27 |
| 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 Ypsilanti, MI earn a median of $89,997 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.04% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 7.00% below the Michigan state average of $96,771.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.27/hr = $53,999/year (purchasing power: $57,939).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $89,999/year (purchasing power: $96,566).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$42.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.27/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Ypsilanti (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.03/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $42.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Ypsilanti grew 15.8% from $36.40/hr (2019) to $42.16/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.41/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 Ypsilanti 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 Ypsilanti
Examining the earning potential of civil engineers reveals intriguing dynamics, especially for those considering part-time or per-diem work. If a civil engineer works three days a week, or 24 hours, they could expect to earn around $54,076 annually, a different career trajectory compared to their full-time counterparts. Per-diem engineers, often hired through agencies, typically see substantial hourly rates ranging from $100 to $180, with specialized fields such as structural or forensic engineering allowing even higher billing as expert witnesses, reaching from $250 to $500 per hour. Variability in hourly pay across employer types is noteworthy; while consulting firms may offer more consistent employment, local public works departments might provide stability but at lower rates. Civil engineers in Ypsilanti might also navigate an interesting benefits trade-off when deciding between roles that offer health insurance and those that provide higher hourly rates without additional perks. For job seekers, understanding the local market landscape and articulating their value during negotiations can lead to optimized pay, crucial for long-term career satisfaction in this evolving field.
More salary data for Ypsilanti, 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 Ypsilanti. 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 Ypsilanti 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