Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Elk River, MN: $48.92 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Elk River, MN runs $48.92 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,758 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Elk River's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.67 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,057 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elk River, Minnesota, civil engineers earn a median hourly rate of $48.92, which is slightly below the national median of $49.76. This hourly rate significantly impacts both full-time and part-time professionals in the field, particularly those who work three days a week or engage in per-diem assignments. Typically employed in consulting firms with access to design software like CAD, Revit, and AutoCAD, or in construction site environments, these engineers enjoy flexibility in work arrangements, which can affect their total earning potential. With hourly rates ranging from $35.67 at the entry level to $75.83 for the most experienced, Elk River offers a competitive wage structure within the context of Minnesota's civil engineering market, reflecting the city's cost of living index of 98.5, which is below the national average.
About the Elk River 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) | $35.67 | $285.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.14 | $321.11 |
| Median (P50) | $48.92 | $391.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60.63 | $485.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75.83 | $606.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elk River
Based on $48.92/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.92/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elk River, MN can expect to earn approximately $101,761 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,708. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elk River.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elk River
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,956.95 | $8,480 | $101,761 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,174.17 | $5,088 | $61,057 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $782.78 | $3,392 | $40,705 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Elk River) | $48.92 |
| 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 Elk River, MN earn a median of $101,758 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.68% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 2.00% below the Minnesota state average of $103,834.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.92/hr = $61,057/year (purchasing power: $61,987).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,761/year (purchasing power: $103,311).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.92/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Elk River (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.92/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Elk River grew 15.8% from $41.16/hr (2019) to $47.67/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.21/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 Elk River 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 Elk River
For civil engineers in Elk River considering part-time work, the annual earnings from a three-day workweek amount to approximately $62,508, a figure that illustrates the financial feasibility for those opting out of full-time responsibilities. Per-diem work is another viable option, as self-employed civil engineers can charge between $100 and $180 per hour, significantly boosting their income, especially in specialized fields like structural engineering, where expert witnesses can demand between $250 and $500 per hour. Various employer types affect wage discrepancies; for instance, consulting firms like AECOM and WSP may offer different hourly compensation compared to government roles or large construction companies like Bechtel. While higher hourly rates might entice some professionals, the trade-off often involves forfeiting health benefits, making negotiations key. In Elk River, understanding the balance between hourly pay and benefits can be crucial for career advancement and job satisfaction in this evolving industry.
More salary data for Elk River, 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 Elk River. 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 Elk River 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