Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Pendleton, OR: $47.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Pendleton, OR runs $47.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $99,725 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Pendleton's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $46.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,840 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Pendleton, Oregon, the civil engineer hourly pay is projected to reach $47.95 in 2026, closely trailing the national median of $49.76. This rate reflects the competitive nature of civil engineering in the region, particularly in settings like consulting firms and government offices that focus on critical infrastructure projects. For those working part-time, such as on a three-day-per-week schedule, the hourly compensation offers flexibility without sacrificing financial stability. The hourly range, from an entry-level rate of $34.40 to potential earnings of $71.51 for top-tier professionals, provides a spectrum of opportunity for engineers at various career stages. Given the reliance on annual salary data for these projections, it’s crucial to interpret these figures within the context of their specific hourly capabilities and environments.
About the Pendleton 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) | $34.40 | $275.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.78 | $310.27 |
| Median (P50) | $47.95 | $383.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60.21 | $481.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71.51 | $572.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pendleton
Based on $47.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.95/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pendleton, OR can expect to earn approximately $99,733 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,538. With a cost-of-living index of 102.60 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Pendleton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pendleton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,917.95 | $8,311 | $99,733 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,150.77 | $4,987 | $59,840 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $767.18 | $3,324 | $39,893 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Pendleton) | $47.95 |
| 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 Pendleton, OR earn a median of $99,725 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.64% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 3.90% below the Oregon state average of $103,772.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.95/hr = $59,840/year (purchasing power: $58,324).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $99,733/year (purchasing power: $97,206).
CoL index: 102.6 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$40.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Pendleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Pendleton grew 15.8% from $40.34/hr (2019) to $46.72/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.21/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 Pendleton 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 Pendleton
Considering a part-time role, a civil engineer working 24 hours per week could equate to an annual income that differs significantly from full-time counterparts, emphasizing the importance of hourly pay when analyzing career choices. Many professionals in Pendleton are also turning to per-diem work, where agency civil engineers can bill anywhere from $100 to $180 an hour. Experienced consultants, particularly in specialized fields like structural evaluation or geotechnical studies, can command fees reaching $250-$500 per hour. Different employer types in Pendleton, from prominent engineering firms to local government positions, exhibit a variance in hourly pay that aligns with job responsibilities and benefits offered. Engineers might accept slightly lower hourly rates for guaranteed health insurance and other benefits, while those opting for higher pay without benefits face different challenges. Negotiating your hourly rate effectively requires understanding local market conditions; being equipped with data from established resources like the NSPE and regional reports can enhance your positioning in discussions about compensation.
More salary data for Pendleton, 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 Pendleton. 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 Pendleton 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