Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Cape Girardeau, MO: $40.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Cape Girardeau, MO runs $40.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,325 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Cape Girardeau's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.1, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,003 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Civil engineers in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, can expect a median hourly rate of $40.07 in 2026, which falls significantly below the national median of $49.76. For those working part-time, such as engineers employed only three days a week, this equates to approximately $31,000 annually without benefits. This hourly rate will be applicable in various work environments, from consulting firms equipped with CAD stations to government offices focused on public works. Entry-level positions start around $31.27, while experienced engineers and specialists can command up to $61.84. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, is critical for understanding both the immediate compensation landscape and the hourly dynamics specific to the civil engineering field in Cape Girardeau.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.27 | $250.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.98 | $287.86 |
| Median (P50) | $40.07 | $320.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58.23 | $465.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.84 | $494.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cape Girardeau
Based on $40.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.07/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cape Girardeau, MO can expect to earn approximately $83,339 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,080. With a cost-of-living index of 86.08 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cape Girardeau.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cape Girardeau
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,602.67 | $6,945 | $83,339 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $961.60 | $4,167 | $50,003 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $641.07 | $2,778 | $33,336 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Cape Girardeau) | $40.07 |
| 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 Cape Girardeau, MO earn a median of $83,325 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.49% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 2.40% below the Missouri state average of $85,374.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.07/hr = $50,003/year (purchasing power: $58,091).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,339/year (purchasing power: $96,818).
CoL index: 86.078 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Cape Girardeau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.71/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Cape Girardeau grew 15.8% from $33.71/hr (2019) to $39.04/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.12/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 Cape Girardeau 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 Cape Girardeau
Focusing on part-time opportunities, a civil engineer working 24 hours a week can take home approximately $31,000 annually, a stark contrast to their full-time counterparts. For those who operate on a per-diem or agency basis, the pay can increase dramatically, as they often bill rates ranging from $100 to $180 per hour. Particularly experienced civil engineers, such as structural specialists or those involved in forensic engineering, can see their rates soar to between $250 to $500 per hour. Hourly rates vary between employers in Cape Girardeau; engineering consulting firms, state DOTs, and local public works departments will present different compensation packages due to varying budget constraints and project demands. Some engineers may choose positions with lower hourly wages for the added benefit of health insurance. Knowledge of local market conditions and negotiation strategies can significantly influence pay; for example, understanding employer expectations can empower civil engineers to negotiate effectively, potentially securing a better hourly rate while considering the trade-offs involved with benefits.
More salary data for Cape Girardeau, MO:
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 Cape Girardeau. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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