Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Ponca City, OK: $41.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Ponca City, OK runs $41.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $85,477 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Ponca City's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.9, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,284 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Civil engineers in Ponca City, OK can expect a median hourly pay of $41.09, which is significantly lower than the national median hourly rate of $49.76. This pay structure impacts various working arrangements, particularly for those operating as part-time professionals or per-diem workers. In settings typical for civil engineers, such as consulting firm offices or construction site field offices, hourly rates can provide a flexible income for individuals working three days a week. The hourly range in Ponca City varies, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $30.68 and experienced engineers earning up to $62.66 per hour, reflective of the diverse responsibilities and expertise levels in the field.
About the Ponca City Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.68 | $245.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.07 | $272.59 |
| Median (P50) | $41.09 | $328.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.50 | $412.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.66 | $501.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ponca City
Based on $41.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.09/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ponca City, OK can expect to earn approximately $85,474 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,312. With a cost-of-living index of 88.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ponca City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ponca City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,643.72 | $7,123 | $85,474 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $986.23 | $4,274 | $51,284 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $657.49 | $2,849 | $34,189 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Ponca City) | $41.09 |
| 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 Ponca City, OK earn a median of $85,477 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.41% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 7.10% below the Oklahoma state average of $92,010.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.09/hr = $51,284/year (purchasing power: $57,687).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $85,474/year (purchasing power: $96,146).
CoL index: 88.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Ponca City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.71/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.07/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Ponca City grew 15.8% from $34.57/hr (2019) to $40.04/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.17/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 Ponca City 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 Ponca City
Analyzing the income potential for civil engineers in Ponca City reveals interesting dynamics, especially for those choosing part-time work. A civil engineer working 24 hours per week could take home around $51,000 annually, compared to a full-time counterpart earning close to $85,477. The rising trend of per-diem civil engineer pay in Ponca City showcases the opportunities for professionals in the area, with billing rates for contract workers often ranging from $100 to $180 per hour. Specialized roles, like structural and forensic engineers, can command even higher rates, reaching upwards of $500 per hour in certain contexts. Across various employers—ranging from top consulting firms to state agencies—hourly rates can reflect differences in benefits and stability. When negotiating pay, engineers should weigh the benefits of full-time positions that offer health insurance against the allure of higher hourly rates without benefits. It's advisable to engage with local industry networks and consult with peers for practical negotiation strategies.
More salary data for Ponca City, OK:
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 Ponca City. 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 Ponca City 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