Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Spearfish, SD: $44.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Spearfish, SD runs $44.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $92,088 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Spearfish's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $55,255 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the civil engineer hourly pay in Spearfish, South Dakota, is projected to be $44.27. This figure is below the national hourly median of $49.76, indicating a 11.02% lower rate for this profession in the region. For civil engineers working part-time, such as those on a three-day workweek, this translates to an annual take-home that is considerably reduced compared to full-time colleagues. In typical workplace settings—like consulting firms, construction sites, and government offices—civil engineers utilize specialized software tools, including CAD and Revit, making their roles versatile but also competitive. Hourly wages in this field range from $30.30 for entry-level positions to $65.98 for experienced professionals, reflecting the diverse qualifications and responsibilities engineers hold in Spearfish.
About the Spearfish 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) | $30.30 | $242.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.45 | $299.60 |
| Median (P50) | $44.27 | $354.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.54 | $436.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.98 | $527.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Spearfish
Based on $44.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.27/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Spearfish, SD can expect to earn approximately $92,091 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,129. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Spearfish.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Spearfish
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,770.98 | $7,674 | $92,091 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,062.59 | $4,605 | $55,255 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $708.39 | $3,070 | $36,836 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Spearfish) | $44.27 |
| 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 Spearfish, SD earn a median of $92,088 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.02% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 4.10% below the South Dakota state average of $96,025.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.27/hr = $55,255/year (purchasing power: $59,542).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $92,091/year (purchasing power: $99,236).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.27/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Spearfish (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.67/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Spearfish grew 15.8% from $37.24/hr (2019) to $43.14/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.44/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 Spearfish 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 Spearfish
For those considering part-time roles in civil engineering, working 24 hours per week could yield an annual income significantly lower than full-time earnings, with the hourly rate playing a direct role here. Moreover, per diem civil engineer pay in Spearfish can vary widely, with independent contractors often billing between $100 and $180 per hour, and specialized roles—like expert witnesses—commanding even higher rates of $250 to $500 per hour. Employers across various sectors, including engineering consulting firms, government agencies, and large construction companies, exhibit differing hourly pay rates based on the complexity of the projects and the resources available. While some civil engineers may prefer lower hourly rates for the benefit of health insurance and stable employment, others might negotiate for higher rates for freelance or contract work, making effective negotiation skills essential in this ever-evolving market.
More salary data for Spearfish, 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 Spearfish. 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 Spearfish 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