Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Columbia, SC: $46.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Columbia, SC runs $46.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $97,006 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Columbia's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.7, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,201 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Columbia, South Carolina, the civil engineer hourly pay is projected to be $46.64 in 2026, which is lower than the national median hourly rate of $49.76. This figure reflects the employment landscape for civil engineers working in diverse environments, from offices equipped with CAD, Revit, and AutoCAD software to on-site construction locations and government departments. For those considering part-time positions or per-diem work, the hourly rates offer tangible earning opportunities. For instance, entry-level engineers may start around $32.81 per hour, while those at the top of the pay scale can command rates as high as $72.74 per hour. The official figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) emphasize the potential for civil engineering professionals in Columbia as they navigate various work formats and settings.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.81 | $262.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.92 | $303.37 |
| Median (P50) | $46.64 | $373.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.55 | $492.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72.74 | $581.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbia
Based on $46.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.64/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbia, SC can expect to earn approximately $97,001 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,962. With a cost-of-living index of 93.66 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,865.40 | $8,083 | $97,001 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,119.24 | $4,850 | $58,201 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $746.16 | $3,233 | $38,800 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Columbia) | $46.64 |
| 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 Columbia, SC earn a median of $97,006 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.27% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.20% above the South Carolina state average of $96,812.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.64/hr = $58,201/year (purchasing power: $62,139).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $97,001/year (purchasing power: $103,565).
CoL index: 93.662 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Columbia grew 20.5% from $37.72/hr (2019) to $45.44/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.86/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 Columbia 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 Columbia
Focusing on the part-time earning potential for civil engineers reveals interesting contrasts between various employment types in Columbia. A civil engineer working a typical 24-hour week can expect to bring home around $58,503 annually, compared to full-time earnings, which would total approximately $97,006. Per-diem civil engineers, which often encompass independent contractors and those in agency roles, can see rates ranging from $100 to $180 per hour, depending on their expertise and the project's complexities. Specialized fields such as forensic engineering or geotechnical consulting can yield even higher rates, with expert witnesses billing $250 to $500 per hour. Rates can vary significantly based on employer type, with engineering consulting firms, large construction companies, and public agencies each offering different compensation structures. When negotiating hourly wages, civil engineers may find trade-offs between higher rates without benefits and more stable positions offering health insurance. It’s wise for professionals to maintain an awareness of local market trends and align their expectations accordingly.
More salary data for Columbia, 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 Columbia. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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