Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Tahlequah, OK: $42.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Tahlequah, OK runs $42.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,321 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Tahlequah's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.9, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,988 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Tahlequah, Oklahoma, offers a civil engineer hourly pay of $42.46, which is notably below the national median hourly rate of $49.76. This difference means that part-time civil engineers in the area, who might work three days a week, could expect to earn around $1,020 weekly based on a 24-hour work schedule, aligning with the demands typically found in consulting firms, field offices, or government projects. The hourly range for civil engineers in Tahlequah varies from $30.46 for entry-level positions to as high as $63.37 for top earners, reflecting the diverse specialties within the field. It's important to note these projections stem from annual salary estimates, inferring hourly rates that reflect both local market conditions and the cost of living, which sits at 88.9, below the national average.
About the Tahlequah 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) | $30.46 | $243.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.31 | $274.47 |
| Median (P50) | $42.46 | $339.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.26 | $426.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.37 | $506.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tahlequah
Based on $42.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.46/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tahlequah, OK can expect to earn approximately $88,313 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,950. With a cost-of-living index of 88.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tahlequah.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tahlequah
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,698.32 | $7,359 | $88,313 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,018.99 | $4,416 | $52,988 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $679.33 | $2,944 | $35,325 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Tahlequah) | $42.46 |
| 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 Tahlequah, OK earn a median of $88,321 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.66% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 4.00% below the Oklahoma state average of $92,001.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.46/hr = $52,988/year (purchasing power: $59,604).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,313/year (purchasing power: $99,339).
CoL index: 88.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.37/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Tahlequah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.37/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Tahlequah grew 15.8% from $35.72/hr (2019) to $41.37/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.57/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 Tahlequah 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 Tahlequah
Analyzing the civil engineer pay structure in Tahlequah highlights the benefits of different work arrangements. For instance, a part-time civil engineer working 24 hours a week might take home approximately $53,040 annually, representing significant earnings compared to a full-time commitment. For those seeking per diem work, it’s common for experienced civil engineers—especially those in niches like structural or forensic engineering—to command billing rates ranging from $100 to $500 per hour, depending on their expertise and the complexity of the projects they undertake. Rates can further vary based on employer types, with firms like AECOM and Jacobs typically offering competitive benefits that can justify lower hourly rates when compared to contractors offering high pay without benefits. For negotiators in this environment, articulating your unique qualifications and market demand effectively can lead to more favorable hourly arrangements.
More salary data for Tahlequah, 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 Tahlequah. 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 Tahlequah 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