Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Yankton, SD: $44.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Yankton, SD runs $44.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $92,319 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Yankton's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $55,396 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Yankton, South Dakota, the civil engineer hourly pay is projected to be $44.39 in 2026, which is below the national hourly median of $49.76. This median rate reflects the diverse employment settings civil engineers may encounter in their careers, including consulting firm offices equipped with CAD and Revit workstations, construction site field offices, and government DOT offices. For those considering part-time opportunities, such as working three days a week, the hourly rate allows for flexible scheduling while still maintaining a pathway to competitive compensation. Entry-level positions begin at around $31.95 per hour, while top earners can command as much as $66.36 per hour, providing a broad spectrum for individuals at different stages of their careers.
About the Yankton 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) | $31.95 | $255.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.94 | $287.53 |
| Median (P50) | $44.39 | $355.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.80 | $438.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66.36 | $530.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Yankton
Based on $44.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.39/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Yankton, SD can expect to earn approximately $92,326 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,265. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Yankton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Yankton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,775.50 | $7,694 | $92,326 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,065.30 | $4,616 | $55,396 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $710.20 | $3,078 | $36,930 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Yankton) | $44.39 |
| 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 Yankton, SD earn a median of $92,319 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.80% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 3.90% below the South Dakota state average of $96,065.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.39/hr = $55,396/year (purchasing power: $59,694).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $92,326/year (purchasing power: $99,489).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Yankton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Yankton grew 15.8% from $37.34/hr (2019) to $43.25/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.55/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 Yankton 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 Yankton
The financial landscape for part-time civil engineers in Yankton reveals interesting possibilities. An engineer working 24 hours per week could expect an annual income that reflects a sunny potential, allowing for consistent earnings without the commitment of full-time hours. Additionally, per diem civil engineer pay in Yankton can be particularly lucrative for professionals engaging in contract work. Rates can range from $100 to $180 for most projects, and especially skilled individuals, such as structural engineers serving as expert witnesses, can bill anywhere from $250 to $500 per hour. Rates may vary significantly depending on the employer—from large engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs to the local public works department. As a result, the negotiation of hourly rates becomes an essential skill, especially for those who may choose lower-paying governmental positions in exchange for benefits such as health insurance that can be vital in a competitive job market. The local environment necessitates a strategic approach to both employment and compensation, as candidates weigh their options based on personal and professional priorities.
More salary data for Yankton, 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 Yankton. 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 Yankton 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