Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Lima, OH: $48.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Lima, OH runs $48.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,593 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Lima's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.7, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,954 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Lima, OH, the projected median hourly pay for civil engineers in 2026 is $48.84, slightly below the national median of $49.76. This rate can significantly influence those seeking part-time work, especially for civil engineers ready to work three days a week, as it allows flexibility in balancing personal responsibilities while still making a competitive wage. For those pursuing per-diem positions, opportunities abound in settings ranging from consulting firm offices to construction sites, utilizing industry-standard software such as CAD, Revit, and AutoCAD. The hourly range for civil engineers in Lima varies, from approximately $33.08 for entry-level positions to $64.77 for top earners, presenting a clear path for career development. These figures are sourced from official Bureau of Labor Statistics data and reflect the growing demand in this field.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.08 | $264.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.72 | $309.78 |
| Median (P50) | $48.84 | $390.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60.27 | $482.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.77 | $518.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lima
Based on $48.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.84/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lima, OH can expect to earn approximately $101,591 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,610. With a cost-of-living index of 89.67 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lima.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lima
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,953.66 | $8,466 | $101,591 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,172.20 | $5,080 | $60,954 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $781.47 | $3,386 | $40,636 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Lima) | $48.84 |
| 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 Lima, OH earn a median of $101,593 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.83% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 2.90% above the Ohio state average of $98,730.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.84/hr = $60,954/year (purchasing power: $67,977).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,591/year (purchasing power: $113,295).
CoL index: 89.669 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Lima (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $44.67/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Lima grew 36.7% from $34.82/hr (2019) to $47.59/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.13/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 Lima 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 Lima
Considering a 3-day workweek of 24 hours, a civil engineer in Lima could expect to earn approximately $61,139 annually, which is competitive, though significantly lower than full-time positions. Many civil engineers also explore per-diem roles, often billing at rates ranging from $100 to $180 per hour, with seasoned structural or forensic engineers commanding up to $500 per hour as expert witnesses. Different employer types in Lima, such as engineering consulting firms like Jacobs and HDR, and large construction companies like Bechtel, offer variations in pay and other incentives. For this reason, some professionals opt for lower hourly rates to secure benefits like health insurance while others may prioritize higher pay without additional perks. Negotiating hourly pay can hinge on demonstrating relevant experience, understanding local market rates, and emphasizing one’s PE license as a valuable asset—a credential essential for advancement in careers within civil engineering.
More salary data for Lima, 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 Lima. 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