Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Laurel, MS: $39.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Laurel, MS runs $39.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,027 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Laurel's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,222 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineer hourly pay in Laurel, Mississippi, stands at a median rate of $39.44, which is significantly below the national hourly median of $49.76. This discrepancy suggests that professionals in this field should carefully evaluate their options, especially if considering part-time work or per-diem positions. For those working three days a week, perhaps in consulting firms equipped with CAD and Revit workstations, this rate translates to various living arrangements and work-life balance decisions. Those at the entry-level earn around $29.14 per hour, while the most experienced can fetch up to $59.70 per hour, indicating a competitive range that reflects the varying demands of civil engineering assignments in both office and field settings in Laurel.
About the Laurel Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.14 | $233.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.48 | $259.86 |
| Median (P50) | $39.44 | $315.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.27 | $394.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.70 | $477.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Laurel
Based on $39.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.44/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Laurel, MS can expect to earn approximately $82,037 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,329. With a cost-of-living index of 85.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Laurel.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Laurel
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,577.63 | $6,836 | $82,037 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $946.58 | $4,102 | $49,222 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $631.05 | $2,735 | $32,815 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Laurel) | $39.44 |
| 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 Laurel, MS earn a median of $82,027 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.74% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 7.50% below the Mississippi state average of $88,678.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.44/hr = $49,222/year (purchasing power: $57,435).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,037/year (purchasing power: $95,725).
CoL index: 85.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Laurel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Laurel grew 15.8% from $33.18/hr (2019) to $38.43/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.48/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 Laurel 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 Laurel
Analyzing the potential earnings for civil engineers who take a part-time approach reveals a significant difference compared to their full-time counterparts. A civil engineer working 24 hours a week, earning at the median rate, would bring home approximately $49,216 annually, whereas a full-time employee may expect salaries closer to the higher average. For per-diem civil engineers in Laurel, billing rates can be considerably more lucrative, ranging between $100 and $180 per hour, with specialized roles commanding even higher fees—structural experts or forensic engineers can charge from $250 to $500 per hour. Additionally, rates can differ notably by employer type; engineering consulting firms like AECOM or Jacobs often provide stability and benefits, albeit at lower hourly rates, while contractor positions may offer higher pay with fewer perks. Negotiating hourly rates in the Laurel market can be influenced by factors like benefits, experience, and type of work, making it essential for engineers, especially those with PE licenses, to weigh financial and professional advantages carefully.
More salary data for Laurel, MS:
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 Laurel. 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 Laurel 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