Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Columbus, NE: $42.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Columbus, NE runs $42.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,426 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Columbus's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,052 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in Columbus, Nebraska, can expect a median hourly pay of $42.51 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $49.76. This discrepancy highlights the regional economic factors influencing earnings. For professionals working part-time, specifically those engaged three days a week, the hourly rate translates to varying annual incomes depending on total hours worked, affecting overall compensation in consulting firms, government offices, and construction sites. The salary range for civil engineers in this area spans from $32.10 for entry-level positions to $65.90 for experienced engineers, illustrating the earning potential throughout the career spectrum. Understanding these figures helps both aspiring and current engineers gauge their financial prospects within Columbus’s job market.
About the Columbus Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.10 | $256.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.52 | $284.16 |
| Median (P50) | $42.51 | $340.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.01 | $416.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.90 | $527.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbus
Based on $42.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.51/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbus, NE can expect to earn approximately $88,419 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,011. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbus.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbus
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,700.37 | $7,368 | $88,419 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,020.22 | $4,421 | $53,052 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $680.15 | $2,947 | $35,368 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Columbus) | $42.51 |
| 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 Columbus, NE earn a median of $88,426 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.56% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 6.60% below the Nebraska state average of $94,675.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.51/hr = $53,052/year (purchasing power: $57,980).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,419/year (purchasing power: $96,633).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Columbus grew 15.8% from $35.76/hr (2019) to $41.42/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.63/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 Columbus 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 Columbus
Analyzing the local hiring landscape reveals further nuances in civil engineer pay. A civil engineer working part-time for 24 hours a week could earn around $52,626 annually, a notable reduction compared to full-time counterparts. For those seeking per-diem opportunities, rates can soar significantly; per diem civil engineers in Columbus may charge between $100 and $180 per hour, with specialized consultants billing even higher for niche services. Employers such as major engineering firms and federal agencies often provide varying pay structures based on project complexity and the skills required. While some professionals may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits, others prioritize higher pay without benefits for the flexibility it enables. Negotiating effectively, especially in Columbus's competitive market, can hinge on understanding regional salary trends and the demand created by infrastructure investments, such as those stemming from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, emphasizing the importance of research and preparation.
More salary data for Columbus, NE:
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 Columbus. 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 Columbus 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