Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Goose Creek, SC: $44.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Goose Creek, SC runs $44.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $92,949 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Goose Creek's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $55,767 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Goose Creek, South Carolina, civil engineers receive a median hourly rate of $44.69, which is notably lower than the national median hourly pay of $49.76. This difference reflects local economic factors and the competitive landscape for engineering roles. For part-time engineers working three days a week, this hourly pay can offer a viable income for those balancing careers with other commitments, especially when engaging in work within consulting firm offices or government agencies. The hourly range within the region spans from $32.44 at entry-level positions to approximately $69.26 for top earners, providing ample opportunities for varying levels of experience and specialization. However, these numbers are derived from annual salary projections and highlight the expansive nature of civil engineering's work environment, which might include CAD and Revit workspaces, field offices, and remote planning duties.
About the Goose Creek 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) | $32.44 | $259.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.57 | $284.57 |
| Median (P50) | $44.69 | $357.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.97 | $455.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69.26 | $554.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Goose Creek
Based on $44.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.69/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Goose Creek, SC can expect to earn approximately $92,945 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,622. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Goose Creek.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Goose Creek
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,787.40 | $7,745 | $92,945 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,072.44 | $4,647 | $55,767 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $714.96 | $3,098 | $37,178 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Goose Creek) | $44.69 |
| 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 Goose Creek, SC earn a median of $92,949 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.19% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 4.00% below the South Carolina state average of $96,822.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.69/hr = $55,767/year (purchasing power: $60,948).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $92,945/year (purchasing power: $101,579).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Goose Creek (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.59/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Goose Creek grew 15.8% from $37.59/hr (2019) to $43.54/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.86/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 Goose Creek 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 Goose Creek
The earning potential for part-time civil engineers in Goose Creek can vary significantly from full-time counterparts, especially when considering a 3-day work schedule totaling 24 hours per week. While a part-time engineer might take home a respectable income, full-time professionals benefit from higher earning brackets and better job stability. Additionally, per diem civil engineer pay in Goose Creek can range widely, with licensed engineers billing anywhere from $100 to $180 per hour depending on their expertise and the nature of the projects they undertake. Specialized roles, such as structural or forensic engineering, can command rates as high as $250 to $500 per hour, particularly in consultancy settings with firms like AECOM or Jacobs. Engineers must weigh the benefits of higher hourly rates against the security of health insurance and other perks typically offered by larger firms. Negotiating hourly wages effectively often involves understanding the unique demands of the local market and articulating one’s value in an environment influenced by infrastructure investments, underscoring the importance of the PE license in securing higher-level project management roles.
More salary data for Goose Creek, 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 Goose Creek. 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 Goose Creek 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