Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Garner, NC: $44.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Garner, NC runs $44.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $92,992 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Garner's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $55,793 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Garner, North Carolina, the civil engineer hourly pay averages $44.71, which falls below the national median hourly rate of $49.76. This difference can significantly impact professionals who work part-time or on a per-diem basis. For civil engineers taking on three-day workweeks, the lower Hourly rate may influence their financial stability, particularly when balancing consulting work in an office setting with field visits to construction sites. With a tentative hourly range from $32.21 for entry-level positions up to $69.30 for top earners, this variability reflects the diverse career paths available, including roles in government DOT offices, private consulting firms, or any mixed workload involving remote plan-checking.
About the Garner 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) | $32.21 | $257.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.53 | $292.21 |
| Median (P50) | $44.71 | $357.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57.23 | $457.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69.30 | $554.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Garner
Based on $44.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.71/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Garner, NC can expect to earn approximately $92,988 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,647. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Garner.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Garner
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,788.23 | $7,749 | $92,988 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,072.94 | $4,649 | $55,793 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $715.29 | $3,100 | $37,195 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Garner) | $44.71 |
| 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 Garner, NC earn a median of $92,992 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.15% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 4.10% below the North Carolina state average of $96,968.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.71/hr = $55,793/year (purchasing power: $59,608).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $92,988/year (purchasing power: $99,346).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Garner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.42/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Garner grew 15.8% from $37.61/hr (2019) to $43.56/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.88/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 Garner 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 Garner
When considering part-time employment, a civil engineer working 24 hours a week could expect to earn approximately $55,000 annually, illustrating a substantial difference compared to full-time colleagues. For those exploring per-diem opportunities, it's eye-opening to note that many 1099 civil engineers in Garner may charge between $100-$180 per hour, with specialized roles commanding rates as high as $250-$500, particularly within forensic or structural consulting. Employers vary widely; hence, hourly rates fluctuate accordingly, with engineering consulting firms, Fortune 500 construction companies, and government positions each offering unique pay structures, some providing benefits that compromise hourly wages. For professionals in Garner, understanding local market dynamics, emphasizing negotiation skills, and weighing the pros and cons of benefits versus higher hourly wages can greatly influence career satisfaction and financial viability.
More salary data for Garner, 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 Garner. 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 Garner 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