Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Northfield, MN: $47.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Northfield, MN runs $47.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $99,164 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Northfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,494 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Northfield, Minnesota, the projected civil engineer hourly pay for 2026 stands at $47.67, which is somewhat below the national median of $49.76 per hour. This rate provides a solid wage for civil engineers working in various settings, including consulting firm offices equipped with CAD and Revit workstations, construction site field offices, and government DOT locations. For engineers pursuing part-time positions, like those working three days a week, the salary translates to a practical income, especially considering Northfield’s cost of living index of 98.5. Hourly rates for civil engineers in the area range from $33.76 for entry-level positions up to $72.29 for top earners, which reflects the diverse project demands and levels of experience among local professionals.
About the Northfield 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) | $33.76 | $270.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.20 | $305.59 |
| Median (P50) | $47.67 | $381.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59.49 | $475.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72.29 | $578.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Northfield
Based on $47.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.67/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Northfield, MN can expect to earn approximately $99,157 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,206. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Northfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Northfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,906.87 | $8,263 | $99,157 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,144.12 | $4,958 | $59,494 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $762.75 | $3,305 | $39,663 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Northfield) | $47.67 |
| 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 Northfield, MN earn a median of $99,164 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.18% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 4.50% below the Minnesota state average of $103,837.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.67/hr = $59,494/year (purchasing power: $60,400).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $99,157/year (purchasing power: $100,667).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Northfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Northfield grew 15.8% from $40.10/hr (2019) to $46.45/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.93/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 Northfield 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 Northfield
Looking at the broader earnings potential, part-time civil engineers in Northfield, working 24 hours per week, can expect to take home around $61,690 annually, while full-time colleagues could average much more. For those who opt for per-diem arrangements, civil engineers typically bill higher rates; per diem civil engineer pay in Northfield can range significantly, upwards of $100-$180 per hour, while seasoned experts, such as forensic engineers, may command rates between $250 and $500 per hour for specialized consulting work. Hourly rates can vary greatly depending on the type of employer—from engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs to construction giants like Kiewit and government agencies. Professionals in Northfield may find themselves weighing the benefits of health insurance and stability against the allure of higher per-hour compensation from contract work. Effective negotiation is key; understanding local market dynamics can empower engineers to advocate for the pay rates they deserve.
More salary data for Northfield, 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 Northfield. 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 Northfield 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