Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Cottage Grove, MN: $49.28 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Cottage Grove, MN runs $49.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,507 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Cottage Grove's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,505 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cottage Grove, Minnesota, civil engineer hourly pay is notably competitive, with a median rate of $49.28. This figure is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $49.76, reflecting regional economic factors. For engineers working part-time, say three days a week, this translates to a weekly income that can still support a sustainable lifestyle, especially in areas that feature a cost of living index of 98.5, slightly below the national average. Engineers in entry-level positions can expect to earn as low as $33.96 per hour, while seasoned professionals can command up to $75.55 per hour. Such rates are derived from annual salary estimates, highlighting how the industry is structured around office work in consulting firms equipped with CAD software, as well as on-site roles in construction and government facilities.
About the Cottage Grove 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) | $33.96 | $271.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.97 | $311.75 |
| Median (P50) | $49.28 | $394.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.52 | $492.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75.55 | $604.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cottage Grove
Based on $49.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.28/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cottage Grove, MN can expect to earn approximately $102,508 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,140. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cottage Grove.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cottage Grove
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,971.32 | $8,542 | $102,508 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,182.79 | $5,125 | $61,505 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $788.53 | $3,417 | $41,003 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Cottage Grove) | $49.28 |
| 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 Cottage Grove, MN earn a median of $102,507 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.95% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.30% below the Minnesota state average of $103,857.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.28/hr = $61,505/year (purchasing power: $62,442).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,508/year (purchasing power: $104,070).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.28/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Cottage Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.28/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Cottage Grove grew 15.8% from $41.46/hr (2019) to $48.02/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.58/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 Cottage Grove 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 Cottage Grove
Hourly earnings for civil engineers in Cottage Grove can significantly vary based on the type of employment. A civil engineer working part-time, for instance, and clocking 24 hours a week could see an annual income of about $61,831, depending on the consistency of work. In contrast, those taking on per-diem roles often charge between $100 and $180 per hour, especially in specialized settings such as forensic engineering or complex geotechnical studies, where rates can spike up to $250-$500 hourly for expert witness services. The distinctions in pay illustrate how institutional employers like AECOM and Jacobs may offer lower hourly rates, often accompanied by benefits, while independent contractors might prefer higher compensation without such benefits. For engineers negotiating their pay in Cottage Grove, it's crucial to weigh the long-term benefits of steady employment against the allure of higher per diem opportunities in a booming infrastructure landscape influenced by recent federal investment initiatives.
More salary data for Cottage Grove, 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 Cottage Grove. 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 Cottage Grove 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