Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Cincinnati, OH: $48.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Cincinnati, OH runs $48.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $100,803 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Cincinnati's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.4, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.81 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,480 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cincinnati, the civil engineer hourly pay stands at a median of $48.46, slightly below the national hourly median of $49.76. This rate reflects the dynamics of the local job market, where civil engineers may find opportunities in diverse settings including consulting firms, construction sites, government offices, and remote working arrangements. For those working part-time, such as in a three-day workweek, the hourly compensation would significantly impact annual earnings, making flexibility a valuable asset. Entry-level positions start at around $32.16, while top earners could make as much as $67.89 per hour, illustrating a broad spectrum of pay that caters to varying experience levels and specializations.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.16 | $257.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.37 | $306.99 |
| Median (P50) | $48.46 | $387.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.26 | $490.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67.89 | $543.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cincinnati
Based on $48.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.46/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cincinnati, OH can expect to earn approximately $100,801 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,154. With a cost-of-living index of 95.37 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cincinnati.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cincinnati
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,938.48 | $8,400 | $100,801 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,163.09 | $5,040 | $60,480 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $775.39 | $3,360 | $40,320 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Cincinnati) | $48.46 |
| 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 Cincinnati, OH earn a median of $100,803 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.60% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 2.10% above the Ohio state average of $98,730.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.46/hr = $60,480/year (purchasing power: $63,417).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $100,801/year (purchasing power: $105,694).
CoL index: 95.37 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Cincinnati (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Cincinnati grew 23.4% from $38.28/hr (2019) to $47.22/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.74/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 Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati
When considering part-time employment, a civil engineer working 24 hours a week can expect to earn approximately $61,235 annually, which is notably lower than a full-time counterpart. Per-diem and agency civil engineers often find themselves in a lucrative niche, billing rates for 1099 positions easily range from $100 to $180 per hour, and experienced structural engineers acting as expert witnesses may command even higher rates, between $250 and $500 per hour. In Cincinnati, the hourly rates can vary significantly depending on the employer type; major engineering consulting firms tend to offer competitive rates while government roles may provide lower hourly pay but with benefits such as health insurance. This trade-off often influences career choices, as professionals weigh the stability of traditional employment against the potentially higher earnings of contract work. For those negotiating salaries, emphasizing specialized skills and local market dynamics can provide substantial leverage in discussions, especially amid ongoing infrastructure investment in the region.
More salary data for Cincinnati, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for civil engineers in Cincinnati in 2026?
How much do part-time civil engineers make in Cincinnati?
Are civil engineers in Cincinnati paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time civil engineer make per year in Cincinnati?
Do civil engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Cincinnati?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Ohio
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 Cincinnati. 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