Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Apex, NC: $46.92 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Apex, NC runs $46.92 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $97,589 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Apex's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,559 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Apex, North Carolina, civil engineers can expect a median hourly pay of $46.92 for 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $49.76. This hourly rate translates into approximately $75,000 for a civil engineer working part-time three days a week, reflecting the flexibility available in a field that often requires on-site and office-based work in various environments—from consulting firms equipped with CAD and Revit workstations to construction sites and public works departments. Entry-level positions might start at around $31.31 per hour, while experienced engineers can earn as much as $72.72 hourly, emphasizing the extensive range of hourly rates across different experience levels.
About the Apex Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.31 | $250.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.30 | $306.41 |
| Median (P50) | $46.92 | $375.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59.43 | $475.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72.72 | $581.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Apex
Based on $46.92/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.92/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Apex, NC can expect to earn approximately $97,599 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,307. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Apex.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Apex
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,876.90 | $8,133 | $97,599 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,126.14 | $4,880 | $58,559 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $750.76 | $3,253 | $39,039 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Apex) | $46.92 |
| 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 Apex, NC earn a median of $97,589 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.70% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.70% above the North Carolina state average of $96,910.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.92/hr = $58,559/year (purchasing power: $62,563).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $97,599/year (purchasing power: $104,272).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.92/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Apex (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.92/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Apex grew 15.8% from $39.47/hr (2019) to $45.72/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.16/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 Apex 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 Apex
Evaluating the numbers, it's clear that a civil engineer in Apex who works part-time for 24 hours a week could earn around $73,420 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts, who benefit from maximum earnings and additional job security. Per-diem civil engineers in Apex often charge between $100 to $180 per hour, while specialized roles, such as forensic engineering experts, can command much higher rates, billing from $250 to $500 per hour. Hourly rates also vary depending on the type of employer; engineering consulting firms tend to offer competitive salaries but might lack the benefits seen in larger corporations or government agencies. When negotiating pay, civil engineers should factor in benefits packages and seek balance between hourly rates and available health insurance options. Keeping abreast of trends driven by infrastructure spending, particularly from initiatives tied to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, can bolster a civil engineer's market value and leverage in negotiations.
More salary data for Apex, NC:
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 Apex. 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 Apex 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