Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Missoula, MT: $41.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Missoula, MT runs $41.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $86,640 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Missoula's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,989 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Missoula, Montana, earn a median hourly pay of $41.66, which falls short of the national median of $49.76. This hourly rate allows for flexible arrangements, making it viable for part-time workers or per-diem civil engineers who typically find themselves in various environments, including consulting firms and construction site offices. The hourly pay range extends from $33.48 for entry-level positions to $61.76 for those at the top of their field, providing opportunities for individuals at different stages of their careers. Given the local cost of living index of 96.445, prospective civil engineers should consider how these rates fit into their lifestyle and financial planning in Missoula, influenced by the increased infrastructure spending from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.48 | $267.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.88 | $303.05 |
| Median (P50) | $41.66 | $333.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.79 | $406.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.76 | $494.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Missoula
Based on $41.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.66/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Missoula, MT can expect to earn approximately $86,648 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,989. With a cost-of-living index of 96.44 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Missoula.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Missoula
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,666.30 | $7,221 | $86,648 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $999.78 | $4,332 | $51,989 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $666.52 | $2,888 | $34,659 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Missoula) | $41.66 |
| 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 Missoula, MT earn a median of $86,640 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.28% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.40% below the Montana state average of $86,988.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.66/hr = $51,989/year (purchasing power: $53,905).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $86,648/year (purchasing power: $89,842).
CoL index: 96.445 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Missoula (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Missoula grew 9.6% from $37.03/hr (2019) to $40.59/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.75/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 Missoula 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 Missoula
Part-time civil engineers working three days a week, clocking around 24 hours, can anticipate an annual take-home that differs significantly from full-time peers, translating to about $51,999 compared to a more stable income for those working full-time. In the realm of per-diem civil engineer pay in Missoula, professionals often bill up to $180/hr, with certain niches—such as structural and forensic consulting—allowing seasoned engineers to charge anywhere from $250 to $500/hr for their expertise. Hourly rates can also vary based on the type of employer, with engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Stantec offering competitive compensation, while larger construction firms may provide benefits that justify lower hourly rates. Negotiating these rates effectively in Missoula's unique market can hinge on demonstrating specialized skills, acquired PE licenses, and how one’s work can directly contribute to ongoing infrastructure projects spurred by national funding.
More salary data for Missoula, 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 Missoula. 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