Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Pierre, SD: $43.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Pierre, SD runs $43.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $90,231 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Pierre's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $54,140 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in Pierre, South Dakota are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $43.38 in 2026, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $49.76. For those working part-time or on a per-diem basis, this translates to about $1,734.40 weekly for a full-time schedule, or around $1,040.64 for a 3-day workweek at full hours. Employment within this profession can vary widely, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $29.52 per hour while top earners may make up to $67.05 hourly. Typical work environments include consulting firms equipped with CAD, Revit, and AutoCAD software, along with construction sites and government offices. This hourly data has been estimated from annual salary figures and provides valuable insights for both prospective civil engineers and employers in Pierre.
About the Pierre 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) | $29.52 | $236.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.57 | $292.54 |
| Median (P50) | $43.38 | $347.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.92 | $439.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67.05 | $536.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pierre
Based on $43.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.38/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pierre, SD can expect to earn approximately $90,234 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $52,058. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pierre.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pierre
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,735.27 | $7,519 | $90,234 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,041.16 | $4,512 | $54,140 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $694.11 | $3,008 | $36,094 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Pierre) | $43.38 |
| 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 Pierre, SD earn a median of $90,231 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.81% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 6.00% below the South Dakota state average of $95,991.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.38/hr = $54,140/year (purchasing power: $58,341).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $90,234/year (purchasing power: $97,235).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$42.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Pierre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.13/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $42.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.52/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Pierre grew 15.8% from $36.49/hr (2019) to $42.27/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.52/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 Pierre 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 Pierre
For those considering per-diem civil engineer pay in Pierre, the financial landscape can be quite advantageous. A civil engineer working part-time for three days a week would yield an annual income that reflects a more manageable work-life balance, especially when compared to full-time roles, which could lead to burnout. Additionally, per-diem civil engineers, especially licensed professionals, often charge market rates ranging from $100 to $180 per hour, with specialized roles such as forensic or structural engineers potentially earning $250 to $500 per hour. Hourly rates can vary depending on employment type; engineering consultancies and government roles often prioritize stable hours and benefits, while private firms might offer higher rates without benefits. Civil engineers in Pierre should weigh these options carefully, considering factors such as health insurance when negotiating salary, as some may prefer the stability of a lower hourly rate in exchange for consistent benefits.
More salary data for Pierre, 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 Pierre. 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 Pierre 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