Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Austin, MN: $47.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Austin, MN runs $47.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $98,235 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Austin's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,943 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Austin, Minnesota, civil engineers can expect a median hourly pay of $47.23 in 2026, which positions them slightly below the national median of $49.76. This disparity highlights the regional variations in compensation, which may impact professionals looking at part-time opportunities or per-diem work. For instance, a civil engineer working three days a week, typically ranging across settings like consulting firm offices and construction site field offices, benefits from this competitive hourly rate, especially compared to the entry-level pay of $31.51 and the upper pay scale reaching $73.09 for top earners. Given that the hourly rates in this profession are estimated from annual salary data, this compensation structure reflects the evolving demand for civil engineering skills within the context of ongoing infrastructure projects and regional market needs.
About the Austin Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.51 | $252.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.74 | $293.93 |
| Median (P50) | $47.23 | $377.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59.38 | $475.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73.09 | $584.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Austin
Based on $47.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.23/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Austin, MN can expect to earn approximately $98,239 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,676. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Austin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Austin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,889.21 | $8,187 | $98,239 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,133.53 | $4,912 | $58,943 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $755.69 | $3,275 | $39,296 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Austin) | $47.23 |
| 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 Austin, MN earn a median of $98,235 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.08% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 5.40% below the Minnesota state average of $103,843.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.23/hr = $58,943/year (purchasing power: $59,841).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $98,239/year (purchasing power: $99,735).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.23/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Austin grew 15.8% from $39.73/hr (2019) to $46.02/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.47/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 Austin 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 Austin
Evaluating the financial potential for civil engineers in Austin can reveal further insights into pay structures. A civil engineer who works part-time at $47.23 per hour would bring home approximately $58,510 annually, in stark contrast to a full-time role. On the other hand, those exploring per-diem positions often find themselves earning between $100 and $180 per hour, particularly when they enter specialty areas or act as expert witnesses, where rates can soar to $250-$500 for experienced engineers. Pay rates can vary depending on the type of employer, such as engineering consulting firms like AECOM or Jacobs, versus state DOTs or private developers, leading to potential trade-offs in benefits. Some engineers may settle for lower hourly wages with benefits, like health insurance, while others might pursue higher pay with fewer benefits. Negotiation in Austin often hinges on the respective value of time versus security, making a solid understanding of one's market worth essential for career progression.
More salary data for Austin, MN:
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 Austin. 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 Austin 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