Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Mount Pleasant, SC: $47.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Mount Pleasant, SC runs $47.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $98,216 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Mount Pleasant's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,931 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, the civil engineer hourly pay is projected to reach $47.22 in 2026, which lags slightly behind the national median hourly rate of $49.76. This figure presents a promising opportunity for professionals in this field, whether they are working full-time, part-time, or on a per-diem basis. For instance, a civil engineer working three days a week might earn about $1,698 when calculating their weekly pay over a 24-hour work schedule. The hourly pay range locally spans from $32.07 for entry-level engineers to $73.19 for top earners, reflecting a variation in experience and specialization. Indeed, work settings in this field can include consulting firm offices, construction site field offices, and even remote environments, necessitating familiarity with tools like CAD, Revit, and AutoCAD.
About the Mount Pleasant 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) | $32.07 | $256.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.17 | $289.33 |
| Median (P50) | $47.22 | $377.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60.31 | $482.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73.19 | $585.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mount Pleasant
Based on $47.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.22/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mount Pleasant, SC can expect to earn approximately $98,218 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,664. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Mount Pleasant.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mount Pleasant
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,888.80 | $8,185 | $98,218 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,133.28 | $4,911 | $58,931 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $755.52 | $3,274 | $39,287 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Mount Pleasant) | $47.22 |
| 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 Mount Pleasant, SC earn a median of $98,216 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.10% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.50% above the South Carolina state average of $96,764.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.22/hr = $58,931/year (purchasing power: $64,405).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $98,218/year (purchasing power: $107,342).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Mount Pleasant (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Mount Pleasant grew 15.8% from $39.72/hr (2019) to $46.01/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.46/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 Mount Pleasant 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 Mount Pleasant
The earning potential for part-time civil engineers can significantly contrasts the financial landscape for full-time employees. A 24-hour workweek could yield around $88,236 annually, which, while substantial, does not match the comprehensive benefits typically associated with full-time positions. Many professionals, particularly those in per-diem roles, often invoice between $100 and $180 per hour. More specialized roles, such as expert witnesses in structural or forensic engineering, command rates as high as $500 per hour. Hourly rates also fluctuate based on the employer type in Mount Pleasant, with consulting firms and government agencies often providing a stable but lower hourly wage compared to the higher rates offered by private contractors or larger firms like Bechtel and Fluor. While the prospect of accepting lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance is a common trade-off, it's crucial for negotiators to assess their priorities clearly. Understanding the local market and adjusting expectations accordingly can lead to more effective salary discussions for civil engineers in SC.
More salary data for Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant. 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 Mount Pleasant 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