Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Jefferson City, MO: $38.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Jefferson City, MO runs $38.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,031 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Jefferson City's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.0, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,018 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Civil engineers in Jefferson City can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $38.48, significantly lower than the national median of $49.76. This hourly wage provides a solid income for both full-time and part-time positions. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this translates to a decent annual income while allowing for flexibility. Civil engineers typically find themselves in settings like consulting firm offices, government offices, or construction site field offices, where the use of CAD, Revit, and AutoCAD is common. Within the local market, hourly earnings range from $29.06 for entry-level positions to approximately $57.40 for top earners, reflecting the diverse experience levels and sectors they may work in.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.06 | $232.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.24 | $257.89 |
| Median (P50) | $38.48 | $307.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.72 | $373.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.40 | $459.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jefferson City
Based on $38.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.48/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jefferson City, MO can expect to earn approximately $80,030 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,171. With a cost-of-living index of 87.97 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jefferson City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jefferson City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,539.04 | $6,669 | $80,030 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $923.42 | $4,002 | $48,018 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $615.62 | $2,668 | $32,012 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Jefferson City) | $38.48 |
| 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 Jefferson City, MO earn a median of $80,031 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.67% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 6.20% below the Missouri state average of $85,321.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.48/hr = $48,018/year (purchasing power: $54,581).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,030/year (purchasing power: $90,969).
CoL index: 87.975 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.49/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Jefferson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $47.03/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.49/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.49/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Jefferson City grew 21.5% from $30.86/hr (2019) to $37.49/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.49/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 Jefferson City 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 Jefferson City
The earning potential for civil engineers under different employment arrangements varies widely. A civil engineer working 24 hours a week would earn just under $30,000 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. In contrast, those engaged in per-diem or agency work can charge higher rates, typically between $100 to $180 per hour, with specialized roles—such as structural or forensic engineers—commanding even more, at $250 to $500 per hour. Employers in Jefferson City include well-known engineering firms like AECOM and Jacobs, along with public works departments and federal agencies. Engineers often face a trade-off between choosing to work for higher pay with fewer benefits or opting for a lower hourly rate that includes health coverage. When negotiating, engineers should emphasize their qualifications and relevant experience while being aware of the current competitive landscape driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has increased project availability across the region.
More salary data for Jefferson City, 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 Jefferson City. 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, 7-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