Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Columbus, OH: $48.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Columbus, OH runs $48.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,614 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Columbus's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,967 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Columbus, OH, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $48.85, just below the national median of $49.76. This rate highlights a competitive compensation environment for professionals in this field. For part-time workers, such as those engaged in three-day-a-week schedules, this translates to an annual income of around $38,000, making the role attractive for individuals seeking a flexible work arrangement while contributing to vital infrastructure projects. Furthermore, entry-level positions could start at about $33.72 per hour, while seasoned professionals commanding the highest pay rates may earn as much as $83.58 per hour. These insights, sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflect the robust demand for civil engineers across various work environments, including consulting firms, construction sites, and government agencies in Columbus.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.72 | $269.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.79 | $310.35 |
| Median (P50) | $48.85 | $390.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.13 | $505.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83.58 | $668.65 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbus
Based on $48.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.85/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbus, OH can expect to earn approximately $101,612 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,622. With a cost-of-living index of 95.47 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbus.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbus
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,954.08 | $8,468 | $101,612 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,172.45 | $5,081 | $60,967 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $781.63 | $3,387 | $40,645 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Columbus) | $48.85 |
| 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 Columbus, OH earn a median of $101,614 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.81% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 2.90% above the Ohio state average of $98,750.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.85/hr = $60,967/year (purchasing power: $63,861).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,612/year (purchasing power: $106,434).
CoL index: 95.469 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Columbus grew 20.9% from $39.36/hr (2019) to $47.60/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.14/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 Columbus 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 Columbus
The earning potential for civil engineers in Columbus can vary significantly depending on the employment context and work structure. For part-time civil engineers logging 24 hours a week, net income could average around $38,460 annually, contrasting sharply with full-time earnings. In a per-diem scenario, licensed civil engineers may charge between $100 and $180 an hour, with specialized roles like forensic engineering or geotechnical consulting yielding even higher rates of $150 to $500 per hour. Different employers also impact hourly rates; larger engineering firms like AECOM or Jacobs may offer lower hourly pay compared to independent contractors but provide benefits that offset the pay gap. Those negotiating hourly wages should highlight experience and project successes, as securing a higher hourly rate might be contingent on demonstrating technical expertise and industry knowledge, particularly when the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law catalyzes ongoing demand for skilled civil engineers in the area.
More salary data for Columbus, OH:
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 Columbus. 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