Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Aberdeen, SD: $43.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Aberdeen, SD runs $43.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $91,271 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Aberdeen's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $54,768 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Aberdeen, South Dakota, the civil engineer hourly pay is projected to reach $43.88 in 2026, which is noticeably lower than the national hourly median of $49.76. This difference in pay highlights the regional wage variances and reflects the local cost of living, which stands below the national average. With entry-level positions starting at approximately $31.12 and top earners reaching as high as $68.01, a career as a civil engineer in Aberdeen offers diverse opportunities. Part-time engineers working three days a week could expect to earn about $31,000 annually based on these hourly rates, while per-diem roles are often associated with a variety of environments such as consulting firms, government offices, and construction sites, where hourly work can be both flexible and project-based.
About the Aberdeen Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.12 | $248.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.36 | $282.85 |
| Median (P50) | $43.88 | $351.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.17 | $449.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68.01 | $544.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Aberdeen
Based on $43.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.88/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Aberdeen, SD can expect to earn approximately $91,280 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $52,662. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Aberdeen.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Aberdeen
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,755.38 | $7,607 | $91,280 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,053.23 | $4,564 | $54,768 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $702.15 | $3,043 | $36,512 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Aberdeen) | $43.88 |
| 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 Aberdeen, SD earn a median of $91,271 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.81% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 5.00% below the South Dakota state average of $96,075.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.88/hr = $54,768/year (purchasing power: $59,017).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $91,280/year (purchasing power: $98,362).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$42.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Aberdeen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.92/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.56/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.34/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $42.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Aberdeen grew 15.8% from $36.92/hr (2019) to $42.76/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.04/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 Aberdeen 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 Aberdeen
Considering the per diem civil engineer pay in Aberdeen, professionals working on a temporary or contract basis may command significantly more than the hourly median, often billing rates that range from $100 to $180 per hour. Those specializing in niche areas like structural engineering or forensic analysis can earn even higher, potentially reaching $250 to $500 per hour. Employers such as state Departments of Transportation, large construction firms, and smaller private consultants offer varying pay scales, often with a trade-off between higher hourly wages and benefits like health insurance. Engineers considering hourly positions should also be aware of negotiation strategies that capitalize on Aberdeen's unique labor market. Understanding the local demand driven by ongoing infrastructure spending can provide leverage in negotiations, allowing civil engineers to secure more favorable hourly arrangements while considering the importance of job security and benefits offered by permanent positions versus the higher rates of contract work.
More salary data for Aberdeen, SD:
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 Aberdeen. 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 Aberdeen 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