Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Lincoln, NE: $47.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Lincoln, NE runs $47.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $98,073 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Lincoln's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.6, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,841 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Civil engineers in Lincoln, Nebraska, earn a competitive median hourly rate of $47.15, falling slightly below the national median of $49.76. This disparity reflects the local economic dynamics, where part-time civil engineers working three days a week in typical settings like consulting firm offices or construction site field offices can enjoy a substantial income while maintaining flexibility. The hourly range for civil engineers in Lincoln varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $31.70 and top earners reaching up to $66.99 per hour. Such BLS data points to the viability of civil engineering roles in both government and private sectors, catering to various project demands and allowing professionals to find their niche.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.70 | $253.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.72 | $285.72 |
| Median (P50) | $47.15 | $377.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59.71 | $477.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66.99 | $535.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lincoln
Based on $47.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.15/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lincoln, NE can expect to earn approximately $98,068 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,578. With a cost-of-living index of 91.58 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lincoln.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lincoln
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,885.93 | $8,172 | $98,068 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,131.56 | $4,903 | $58,841 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $754.37 | $3,269 | $39,227 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Lincoln) | $47.15 |
| 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 Lincoln, NE earn a median of $98,073 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.24% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 3.60% above the Nebraska state average of $94,665.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.15/hr = $58,841/year (purchasing power: $64,250).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $98,068/year (purchasing power: $107,084).
CoL index: 91.581 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.15/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Lincoln grew 8.7% from $42.27/hr (2019) to $45.94/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.39/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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln
For those considering part-time work, a civil engineer clocking in at 24 hours a week would see substantial annual earnings, with the potential income still significant compared to a full-time position. Some professionals in Lincoln engage in per diem work or contract roles, often billing between $100 and $180 per hour, with specialized engineers, such as those providing forensic analysis, charging up to $500 per hour. Hourly rates will vary based on employment type, whether it's at engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs or with government agencies like state DOTs. When negotiating pay, civil engineers should weigh the benefits of higher hourly rates against the security of employer-provided health benefits. This decision will ultimately shape individual compensation strategies in a competitive market as Lincoln's infrastructure demands evolve.
More salary data for Lincoln, 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 Lincoln. 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