Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Billings, MT: $47.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Billings, MT runs $47.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $99,561 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Billings's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.5, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,738 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Billings, Montana, the civil engineer hourly pay is projected at $47.87 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $49.76. For part-time professionals working approximately three days a week, this hourly rate can lead to an attractive earning potential, especially for those who enjoy the flexibility of project-based engagements. Civil engineers typically find themselves in various settings ranging from consulting firms to government offices, utilizing tools like CAD, Revit, and AutoCAD to design and inspect infrastructure. The hourly pay range reflects a breadth of experience, with entry-level positions starting at $29.89 and seasoned engineers earning up to $66.63 per hour. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS projections, highlights Billings' competitive position in the civil engineering market.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.89 | $239.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.86 | $302.88 |
| Median (P50) | $47.87 | $382.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.78 | $438.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66.63 | $533.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Billings
Based on $47.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.87/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Billings, MT can expect to earn approximately $99,563 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,440. With a cost-of-living index of 93.53 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Billings.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Billings
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,914.67 | $8,297 | $99,563 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,148.80 | $4,978 | $59,738 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $765.87 | $3,319 | $39,825 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Billings) | $47.87 |
| 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 Billings, MT earn a median of $99,561 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.80% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 14.50% above the Montana state average of $86,953.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.87/hr = $59,738/year (purchasing power: $63,873).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $99,563/year (purchasing power: $106,454).
CoL index: 93.526 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.35/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Billings grew 12.7% from $41.37/hr (2019) to $46.64/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.13/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 Billings 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 Billings
For civil engineers considering part-time work in Billings, earning $47.87 per hour translates to approximately $58,443 annually for a 24-hour work week, compared to a full-time schedule. The allure of per diem civil engineer pay in Billings is significant; many professionals choose to work on an independent contractor basis, where they can bill rates ranging from $100 to $180 per hour. Those specializing in high-demand areas like structural or forensic engineering may find themselves commanding even higher fees between $250 and $500 per hour. Different employer types also influence pay rates; consulting firms tend to offer competitive compensation whereas government roles may provide additional benefits, making it essential for engineers to evaluate their priorities. As a strategy, engineers can negotiate effectively by understanding the market rate dynamics and considering the trade-off between hourly wages and benefits. With the growing investments in infrastructure, particularly driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Billings remains a pivotal market for civil engineers eager to elevate their careers.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
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 Billings. 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