Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Dayton, OH: $47.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Dayton, OH runs $47.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $97,776 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Dayton's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,662 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dayton, Ohio, civil engineers can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $47.00. This figure is slightly lower than the national median of $49.76, reflecting the local job market dynamics. For civil engineers working part-time, such as those employed three days a week, this hourly rate translates to a manageable income that can support a balanced lifestyle. Typically found in settings like consulting firms, government offices, and construction sites, these professionals work on various projects, utilizing tools like CAD, Revit, and AutoCAD. For entry-level positions, hourly wages start around $25.96, while experienced engineers can reach up to $78.83, indicating a broad spectrum of pay opportunities based on experience, specialization, and employer type. This data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates, providing a comprehensive look at the hourly pay landscape for civil engineers in 2026.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.96 | $207.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.31 | $306.49 |
| Median (P50) | $47.00 | $376.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.74 | $501.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.83 | $630.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dayton
Based on $47.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.00/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dayton, OH can expect to earn approximately $97,769 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,405. With a cost-of-living index of 92.69 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dayton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dayton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,880.18 | $8,147 | $97,769 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,128.11 | $4,888 | $58,662 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $752.07 | $3,259 | $39,108 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Dayton) | $47.00 |
| 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 Dayton, OH earn a median of $97,776 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.52% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.00% below the Ohio state average of $98,763.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.00/hr = $58,662/year (purchasing power: $63,285).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $97,769/year (purchasing power: $105,475).
CoL index: 92.694 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Dayton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Dayton grew 27.4% from $35.96/hr (2019) to $45.80/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.24/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 Dayton 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 Dayton
Exploring the financial prospects for a civil engineer working part-time, one can see significant variations based on work schedules and employment arrangements. A civil engineer who works 24 hours a week at the hourly median would take home approximately $59,760 annually—an attractive option for those seeking flexibility. Conversely, per-diem civil engineers can experience a different pay scale, often billing $100 to $180 per hour, particularly in specialized roles or when acting as expert witnesses, which can see fees soar to $250-$500 per hour. The type of employer also influences pay rates significantly, with firms like AECOM and Jacobs often providing higher compensation compared to local public agencies. Negotiating terms may require balancing the hourly rate with benefits; some engineers may prefer lower pay with health insurance, while others opt for higher rates without benefits. Understanding these dynamics in Dayton, OH, can help civil engineers, particularly those seeking PER diem roles or part-time employment, to make informed career decisions that impact their earnings and work-life balance.
More salary data for Dayton, 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 Dayton. 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