Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Clemson, SC: $42.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Clemson, SC runs $42.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $89,135 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Clemson's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,487 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in Clemson, South Carolina, earn a median hourly pay of $42.86, which is noticeably lower than the national hourly median of $49.76. This disparity suggests that civil engineers working in this region may face unique economic factors affecting their earnings. For those considering part-time roles, such as working three days a week, the flexibility could lead to a comfortable work-life balance while still earning a substantial hourly rate. The range of pay in Clemson varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $31.17 an hour and experienced professionals nearing the upper end of the spectrum at about $66.10 per hour. Typically, civil engineers find employment in various settings, including consulting firm offices equipped for design work, construction sites, and government agencies, giving them diverse options to fit their working preferences.
About the Clemson Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.17 | $249.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.07 | $280.55 |
| Median (P50) | $42.86 | $342.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.18 | $433.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66.10 | $528.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Clemson
Based on $42.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.86/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Clemson, SC can expect to earn approximately $89,145 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,430. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Clemson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Clemson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,714.33 | $7,429 | $89,145 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,028.60 | $4,457 | $53,487 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $685.73 | $2,972 | $35,658 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Clemson) | $42.86 |
| 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 Clemson, SC earn a median of $89,135 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.87% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 7.90% below the South Carolina state average of $96,781.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.86/hr = $53,487/year (purchasing power: $58,456).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $89,145/year (purchasing power: $97,426).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Clemson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.05/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.25/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Clemson grew 15.8% from $36.05/hr (2019) to $41.76/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.99/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 Clemson 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 Clemson
In terms of part-time earning potential, a civil engineer working 24 hours a week could expect an annual income that still provides a reasonable standard of living, albeit with lower overall earnings compared to a full-time position. Many professionals in this field opt for per diem work, with independent or agency civil engineers charging between $100 and $180 per hour for specialized tasks. Experts in structural or forensic engineering can command even higher rates, ranging from $250 to $500 per hour when acting as expert witnesses. Additionally, hourly rates can vary significantly based on the type of employer; engineering consulting firms and large construction companies often pay more competitively than state or local public works departments. Civil engineers must weigh the benefits of job security and health insurance against potentially higher pay rates with fewer benefits in contract roles. It's advisable for hourly workers in Clemson to effectively negotiate pay by emphasizing their technical skills and experiences, especially in light of the increased infrastructure spending driven by initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for Clemson, SC:
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 Clemson. 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 Clemson 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