Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Kirkwood, MO: $40.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Kirkwood, MO runs $40.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,639 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Kirkwood's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $45.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,785 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kirkwood, Missouri, civil engineers earn a median hourly pay of $40.69, which is notably lower than the national median of $49.76. This hourly rate reflects various employment arrangements common in the profession, particularly in consulting firms, construction sites, and government offices where civil engineers might work. For part-time civil engineers who might work three days a week, this translates to a manageable work-life balance while still earning a competitive wage. The hourly pay range in Kirkwood spans from $28.37 for entry-level positions to $63.08 for top-tier professionals, highlighting the potential for growth in this field. These estimates are derived from annual salary data, illustrating the earnings landscape within a region that balances both larger markets and local civic projects.
About the Kirkwood 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) | $28.37 | $226.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.42 | $259.37 |
| Median (P50) | $40.69 | $325.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.91 | $415.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.08 | $504.61 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kirkwood
Based on $40.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.69/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kirkwood, MO can expect to earn approximately $84,641 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,831. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kirkwood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kirkwood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,627.71 | $7,053 | $84,641 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $976.63 | $4,232 | $50,785 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $651.08 | $2,821 | $33,856 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Kirkwood) | $40.69 |
| 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 Kirkwood, MO earn a median of $84,639 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.22% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.80% below the Missouri state average of $85,322.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.69/hr = $50,785/year (purchasing power: $56,679).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,641/year (purchasing power: $94,465).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Kirkwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Kirkwood grew 15.8% from $34.23/hr (2019) to $39.65/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.76/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 Kirkwood 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 Kirkwood
When considering part-time employment, a civil engineer working 24 hours a week at $40.69 an hour would realize an annual income of approximately $50,627, markedly lower than full-time colleagues. Many engineers gravitate towards per-diem roles, where billing rates can vary significantly. Per diem civil engineers in Kirkwood may charge between $100 and $180 per hour, while specialized roles such as structural or forensic engineers can bill up to $500 per hour. Hourly rates also fluctuate based on the employer—those working in prominent engineering consulting firms, state and local agencies, or private developers might experience different compensation structures. In negotiations, it's beneficial to weigh the trade-off between higher hourly wages without benefits and those offering stability and health insurance. As the infrastructure sector evolves under initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, there remains a steady demand for civil engineers to drive project work in Kirkwood and beyond. Understanding local market rates and employer dynamics will empower engineers to make informed decisions on their career path.
More salary data for Kirkwood, 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 Kirkwood. 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 Kirkwood 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