Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Reno, NV: $52.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Reno, NV runs $52.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $108,244 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Reno's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.0, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $51.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $64,951 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Civil engineers in Reno, Nevada, can expect a median hourly pay of $52.04, which surpasses the national median of $49.76. This elevated hourly rate makes Reno an attractive option for civil engineers, particularly for those working part-time or per diem. For instance, a civil engineer working three days a week at this rate would earn a substantial income while maintaining a flexible schedule. The hourly pay range is quite wide, from $38.22 for entry-level positions to $79.78 for experienced professionals at the upper end. The data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflects a competitive local market and suggests a thriving demand for engineering services, especially within consulting firm offices, construction sites, and government departments.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.22 | $305.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.22 | $329.73 |
| Median (P50) | $52.04 | $416.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70.55 | $564.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79.78 | $638.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Reno
Based on $52.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $52.04/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Reno, NV can expect to earn approximately $108,251 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $62,452. With a cost-of-living index of 101.01 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Reno.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Reno
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,081.75 | $9,021 | $108,251 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,249.05 | $5,413 | $64,951 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $832.70 | $3,608 | $43,300 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Reno) | $52.04 |
| 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 Reno, NV earn a median of $108,244 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.59% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 6.40% above the Nevada state average of $101,733.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $52.04/hr = $64,951/year (purchasing power: $64,299).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $108,251/year (purchasing power: $107,164).
CoL index: 101.014 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$42.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$50.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$52.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Reno (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $50.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Reno grew 19.4% from $42.47/hr (2019) to $50.71/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.41/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 Reno 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 Reno
Exploring the part-time earning potential, a civil engineer working 24 hours per week would take home approximately $64,487 annually, contrasting sharply with a full-time counterpart's earnings. Many engineers find themselves in per-diem roles, where they can bill anywhere from $100 to $180 per hour based on their specific expertise. In Reno, rates can vary based on the employer type, with engineering consulting firms, Fortune 500 construction companies, and government agencies offering differing pay structures. Some professionals might choose lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, while others prefer higher pay without benefits. Negotiation tactics tailored to Reno's local market can help engineers maximize their hourly earnings, particularly when considering the nuanced differences across various sectors and project types.
More salary data for Reno, NV:
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 Reno. 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