Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Hickory, NC: $46.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Hickory, NC runs $46.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $97,211 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Hickory's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.5, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,329 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hickory, NC, civil engineers earn a median hourly pay of $46.74, which is slightly below the national median of $49.76 for the profession. This hourly rate presents various opportunities, particularly for those working part-time. A civil engineer in Hickory committed to a 3-day work schedule could effectively balance personal commitments while still bringing home a substantial income. With an hourly pay range from $31.92 for entry-level positions to $76.25 for top earners, prospective engineers in the area can find diverse roles across different settings. Working environments vary from consulting firm offices equipped with CAD and AutoCAD tools to hands-on construction sites and government offices, typically centered on infrastructure projects. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting the trends shaping civil engineer hourly rates in Hickory.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.92 | $255.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.33 | $290.65 |
| Median (P50) | $46.74 | $373.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.76 | $438.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76.25 | $610.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hickory
Based on $46.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.74/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hickory, NC can expect to earn approximately $97,214 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,085. With a cost-of-living index of 88.49 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hickory.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hickory
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,869.51 | $8,101 | $97,214 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,121.70 | $4,861 | $58,329 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $747.80 | $3,240 | $38,886 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Hickory) | $46.74 |
| 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 Hickory, NC earn a median of $97,211 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.07% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.30% above the North Carolina state average of $96,920.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.74/hr = $58,329/year (purchasing power: $65,919).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $97,214/year (purchasing power: $109,864).
CoL index: 88.486 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Hickory (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Hickory grew 23.0% from $37.02/hr (2019) to $45.54/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.97/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 Hickory 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 Hickory
The potential for part-time civil engineers in Hickory is notable. For instance, a civil engineer working 24 hours a week could take home annual earnings around $58,020, considerably less than a full-time counterpart, yet still a competitive figure given the local cost of living index is below the national average. For those considering per-diem work, the compensation can be significantly higher, with hourly rates between $100 and $180 for professionals on a 1099 basis. Some experienced engineers specializing in structural or forensic services can command even higher rates, ranging from $250 to $500 per hour. Variability in hourly pay also exists depending on the type of employer—engineering consulting firms such as AECOM and Jacobs often offer different compensation packages compared to larger construction companies or public agencies. In negotiating, civil engineers might consider trade-offs between hourly rates and benefits such as health insurance; while some opt for higher pay without benefits, others may prefer the security of employer-sponsored plans. Understanding these dynamics can provide a clearer picture of civil engineer hourly pay in Hickory and inform career decisions within the profession.
More salary data for Hickory, 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 Hickory. 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