Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Wilmington, NC: $46.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Wilmington, NC runs $46.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $96,934 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Wilmington's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,162 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Wilmington, North Carolina offers civil engineers a median hourly pay of $46.60, which falls short of the national average hourly rate of $49.76. This difference can have significant implications for engineers pursuing part-time roles or per-diem contracts in the area, often found working in consulting firms, construction site offices, or government agencies. The hourly range for civil engineers in Wilmington stretches from $34.31 at the lower end, typically seen in entry-level positions, to $65.86 for those reaching the upper echelons of the profession. This official BLS hourly data reflects both the competitive nature of civil engineering roles and the financial realities of working in a city known for its historical charm and growing infrastructure needs.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.31 | $274.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.05 | $312.41 |
| Median (P50) | $46.60 | $372.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.75 | $422.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.86 | $526.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilmington
Based on $46.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.60/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilmington, NC can expect to earn approximately $96,937 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,925. With a cost-of-living index of 96.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wilmington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilmington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,864.17 | $8,078 | $96,937 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,118.50 | $4,847 | $58,162 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $745.67 | $3,231 | $38,775 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Wilmington) | $46.60 |
| 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 Wilmington, NC earn a median of $96,934 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.34% lower than the national median of $103,492.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.60/hr = $58,162/year (purchasing power: $60,320).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $96,937/year (purchasing power: $100,534).
CoL index: 96.422 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.40/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.83/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Wilmington grew 16.8% from $38.88/hr (2019) to $45.41/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.83/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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington
For those considering a part-time schedule, working three days a week as a civil engineer could yield an annual income of approximately $36,000 based on a 24-hour workweek. Given the variances in the local job market, per diem civil engineer pay in Wilmington can significantly differ. Independent or agency engineers commonly charge between $100 to $180 per hour, while seasoned professionals, particularly expert witnesses in structural and forensic engineering, can command rates from $250 to $500 per hour. Earnings can also be influenced by employer type; large engineering consulting firms, Fortune 500 construction companies, and government entities typically provide varying levels of compensation and benefits. Some workers may choose lower pay for better health insurance, while others may prioritize higher hourly rates without added benefits. In this context, negotiation becomes essential, and understanding the local market is key for civil engineers looking to optimize their hourly earnings in Wilmington, NC.
More salary data for Wilmington, 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 Wilmington. 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