Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Belton, MO: $38.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Belton, MO runs $38.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,687 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Belton's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,415 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Belton, Missouri, civil engineers earn a median hourly rate of $38.79, which significantly trails the national median of $49.76. This disparity highlights the variation in compensation based on geographical location. For those exploring part-time opportunities, working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) at this rate can yield around $49,000 annually, a figure that offers decent earnings but may not suffice for those with higher living costs. The hourly pay range for civil engineers in Belton spans from $26.81 at the entry-level (P10) to $58.01 for the more experienced, top-earning professionals (P90). Typical work environments—such as consulting firm offices equipped with CAD, remote plan-checking setups, or field offices at construction sites—reflect the diversity within the job, allowing both full-time and part-time civil engineers to engage in vital infrastructure projects.
About the Belton Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.81 | $214.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.60 | $244.83 |
| Median (P50) | $38.79 | $310.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.02 | $384.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58.01 | $464.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Belton
Based on $38.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.79/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Belton, MO can expect to earn approximately $80,692 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,553. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Belton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Belton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,551.77 | $6,724 | $80,692 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $931.06 | $4,035 | $48,415 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $620.71 | $2,690 | $32,277 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Belton) | $38.79 |
| 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 Belton, MO earn a median of $80,687 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.04% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 5.50% below the Missouri state average of $85,383.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.79/hr = $48,415/year (purchasing power: $54,035).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,692/year (purchasing power: $90,058).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Belton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.71/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Belton grew 15.8% from $32.63/hr (2019) to $37.80/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.81/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 Belton 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 Belton
Exploring the financial landscape further, part-time civil engineers can find themselves in a different pay bracket when considering per-diem or contract work. Per-diem civil engineer pay in Belton often hinges on experience and specialization; many self-employed professionals bill $100-$180 per hour, especially in niche markets like geotechnical or hydraulic studies. Conversely, seasoned structural or forensic engineers serving as expert witnesses can command rates between $250-$500 hourly. The types of employers in Belton play a key role in determining pay; while engineering consulting firms may offer lower hourly rates for steady salaries and benefits, larger Fortune 500 construction companies often provide higher pay, albeit with less job security for contractors. Civil engineers should weigh the benefits of consistent work against the potential higher earnings from freelance projects. Familiarity with local hiring practices and understanding the trade-offs regarding benefits can empower engineers to negotiate effectively for their worth in this evolving market.
More salary data for Belton, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for civil engineers in Belton in 2026?
How much do part-time civil engineers make in Belton?
Are civil engineers in Belton paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time civil engineer make per year in Belton?
Do civil engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Belton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Missouri
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 Belton. 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 Belton 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