Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Forest Grove, OR: $48.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Forest Grove, OR runs $48.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,352 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Forest Grove's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $47.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,813 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the civil engineer hourly pay in Forest Grove is projected to be $48.73, slightly below the national median of $49.76. This rate presents a solid opportunity for part-time professionals, particularly those who might work three days a week, facilitating a sustainable work-life balance while capitalizing on the increased demands for civil engineering services linked to the ongoing infrastructure investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Entry-level engineers may start at around $32.69 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn well into the top tier, reaching $75.38 per hour. This hourly data reflects estimates derived from annual salary data, providing a useful perspective for those considering various employment settings, whether it's in consulting firms outfitted with advanced CAD software or on-site roles in the field.
About the Forest Grove Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.69 | $261.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.88 | $303.05 |
| Median (P50) | $48.73 | $389.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.24 | $489.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75.38 | $603.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Forest Grove
Based on $48.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.73/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Forest Grove, OR can expect to earn approximately $101,356 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,474. With a cost-of-living index of 102.60 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Forest Grove.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Forest Grove
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,949.15 | $8,446 | $101,356 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,169.49 | $5,068 | $60,813 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $779.66 | $3,379 | $40,542 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Forest Grove) | $48.73 |
| 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 Forest Grove, OR earn a median of $101,352 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.07% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 2.40% below the Oregon state average of $103,845.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.73/hr = $60,813/year (purchasing power: $59,272).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,356/year (purchasing power: $98,787).
CoL index: 102.6 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$40.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Forest Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.15/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Forest Grove grew 15.8% from $40.99/hr (2019) to $47.48/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.01/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 Forest Grove 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 Forest Grove
The earning potential for part-time civil engineers in Forest Grove who work a typical three-day work week could yield an annual income of approximately $61,059, markedly lower than what full-time employees might bring home. Meanwhile, per-diem civil engineers have the potential to ramp up their earnings considerably, often billing between $100 and $180 per hour, with specialists in structural or forensic engineering charging as much as $250 to $500 per hour for expert witness services. Variability in hourly rates depending on the employer type is notable; for example, major engineering consulting firms like AECOM or Jacobs often provide slightly lower hourly rates but include valuable benefits, while governmental organizations sometimes offer more stable yet lower pay structures. Negotiation in the civil engineering realm, especially concerning hourly work, typically hinges on balancing direct pay against benefits like health insurance, a trade-off many professionals consider as they navigate their career paths in this evolving market.
More salary data for Forest Grove, OR:
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 Forest Grove. 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 Forest Grove 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