Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Lorain, OH: $47.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Lorain, OH runs $47.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $99,785 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Lorain's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,866 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Lorain, Ohio, civil engineers earn a median hourly rate of $47.97, slightly below the national median of $49.76. This pay rate offers a solid foundation for both full-time and part-time positions, especially for those working in settings like consulting firm offices equipped with CAD and Revit workstations, construction site field offices, or government DOT offices. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this hourly wage translates into a manageable income that allows for flexibility. Civil engineers in Lorain can expect to see hourly rates ranging from $30.88 for those at the entry-level to about $74.36 for experienced engineers in specialized roles, reflecting the wide-ranging opportunities available in this growing field. It’s important to remember that these hourly figures are derived from projected annual salary data and may fluctuate based on specific employer needs and economic conditions.
About the Lorain Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.88 | $247.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.40 | $315.20 |
| Median (P50) | $47.97 | $383.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.04 | $488.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74.36 | $594.84 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lorain
Based on $47.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.97/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lorain, OH can expect to earn approximately $99,776 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,563. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lorain.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lorain
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,918.77 | $8,315 | $99,776 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,151.26 | $4,989 | $59,866 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $767.51 | $3,326 | $39,910 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Lorain) | $47.97 |
| 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 Lorain, OH earn a median of $99,785 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.58% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.10% above the Ohio state average of $98,699.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.97/hr = $59,866/year (purchasing power: $66,004).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $99,776/year (purchasing power: $110,007).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Lorain (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Lorain grew 15.8% from $40.35/hr (2019) to $46.74/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.23/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 Lorain 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 Lorain
Engaging in part-time work as a civil engineer can yield significant returns, as a professional working a 24-hour week could realistically take home an annual income that aligns closely with their full-time counterparts, though at a reduced rate. For instance, per-diem civil engineer pay in Lorain can vary widely, allowing for specialized roles that command rates as high as $180 per hour, especially for those with licensure and expertise in niche areas such as structural engineering or geotechnical investigations. Large consulting firms and construction giants often pay higher hourly rates, while state and local government positions may offer more comprehensive benefits, creating a trade-off for engineers in this area. Negotiating hourly wages can be crucial; candidates may wish to bring up the potential benefits of remote work arrangements or highlight particular licenses like the PE credential to enhance their bargaining power. Given the infrastructure spending bolstered by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the civil engineering profession in Lorain holds ample opportunity for qualified engineers to maximize their hourly pay potential across various employment types.
More salary data for Lorain, 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 Lorain. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lorain is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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