Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Kansas City, MO: $48.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Kansas City, MO runs $48.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,460 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Kansas City's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.5, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,877 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kansas City, Missouri, civil engineers earn a median hourly rate of $48.78, which is slightly below the national median of $49.76. This rate supports various work environments, such as consulting firm offices equipped with advanced software like CAD, Revit, and AutoCAD, as well as onsite at construction fields and government DOT facilities. For part-time professionals working three days a week, or those taking on per-diem positions, this hourly wage can accommodate flexible schedules while providing competitive compensation. With an hourly range from $33.57 for entry-level positions to $76.53 for top-tier engineers, individuals in the field can find opportunities that fit their financial and lifestyle needs. These figures are derived from the official data projected for 2026 based on 2025 BLS data, indicating a growing demand for civil engineering roles within the region.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.57 | $268.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.87 | $310.93 |
| Median (P50) | $48.78 | $390.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.80 | $502.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76.53 | $612.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kansas City
Based on $48.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.78/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kansas City, MO can expect to earn approximately $101,462 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,536. With a cost-of-living index of 92.54 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kansas City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kansas City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,951.20 | $8,455 | $101,462 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,170.72 | $5,073 | $60,877 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $780.48 | $3,382 | $40,585 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Kansas City) | $48.78 |
| 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 Kansas City, MO earn a median of $101,460 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.96% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 18.90% above the Missouri state average of $85,332.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.78/hr = $60,877/year (purchasing power: $65,783).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,462/year (purchasing power: $109,638).
CoL index: 92.543 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+40.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Kansas City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Kansas City grew 33.0% from $35.73/hr (2019) to $47.53/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.06/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 Kansas 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 Kansas City
The earning potential for civil engineers in Kansas City can differ significantly based on their employment status and the type of work they engage in. A civil engineer working part-time at 24 hours per week could expect to earn around $61,500 annually, compared to full-time counterparts who enjoy salaries reflective of their full-time commitment. Per diem civil engineers often negotiate rates substantially higher, with billing ranging from $100 to $180 per hour, especially for specialized roles such as structural or forensic engineering, where rates can exceed $250 per hour. The nature of employment also influences salary, as firms like AECOM and Jacobs or major construction companies like Bechtel often offer different benefits and pay structures, balancing lower hourly rates with health insurance and retirement plans. For those negotiating in Kansas City, understanding the market and articulating value during conversations with employers and clients can lead to improved hourly pay or additional perks.
More salary data for Kansas 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 Kansas 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