Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Butte, MT: $40.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Butte, MT runs $40.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,509 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Butte's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.2, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,708 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Butte, Montana, the civil engineer hourly pay is projected to be $40.63 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $49.76. This disparity can impact various working arrangements, particularly for part-time civil engineers who may work three days a week. For those in consulting firm offices, government DOT offices, and construction site field offices, this hourly rate translates to an estimated $651 per week based on a 24-hour work week, providing a feasible livelihood while allowing for flexibility. The hourly pay ranges from $26.95 for entry-level positions to $62.97 for experienced professionals, giving insight into potential earnings for civil engineers at different stages of their careers in Butte. The estimates derive from annual salary data and reflect the competitive nature of the civil engineering field in both public and private sectors.
About the Butte Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.95 | $215.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.93 | $263.47 |
| Median (P50) | $40.63 | $325.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.00 | $416.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.97 | $503.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Butte
Based on $40.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.63/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Butte, MT can expect to earn approximately $84,513 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,757. With a cost-of-living index of 96.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Butte.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Butte
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,625.25 | $7,043 | $84,513 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $975.15 | $4,226 | $50,708 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $650.10 | $2,817 | $33,805 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Butte) | $40.63 |
| 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 Butte, MT earn a median of $84,509 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.34% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 2.80% below the Montana state average of $86,943.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.63/hr = $50,708/year (purchasing power: $52,711).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,513/year (purchasing power: $87,851).
CoL index: 96.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Butte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.57/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Butte grew 15.8% from $34.18/hr (2019) to $39.59/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.70/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 Butte 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 Butte
For part-time civil engineers in Butte, working just three days a week can result in a significant annual take-home pay, especially when considering their projected earnings of approximately $33,876. This is considerably different than a full-time position. Many civil engineers pursue per diem opportunities, which can dramatically increase their hourly rates. Contracted or locum civil engineers might charge between $100 and $180 per hour, while seasoned structural and forensic engineers can command rates of $250 to $500 per hour. Notably, the type of employer can greatly influence hourly rates; engineering consulting firms may offer more stability, while private developers and federal agencies could provide better pay. Additionally, some civil engineers may choose lower hourly rates that include benefits, while others opt for higher pay without those benefits. Negotiations in Butte should reflect local market conditions, emphasizing the value of experience and licensure to achieve a favorable compensation structure for civil engineers.
More salary data for Butte, 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 Butte. 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 Butte 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