Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Johnson City, TN: $40.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Johnson City, TN runs $40.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,639 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Johnson City's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,785 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Johnson City, Tennessee, the projected civil engineer hourly pay is $40.69, significantly below the national median of $49.76 per hour. This rate provides a viable income for those seeking flexible work arrangements, such as part-time roles that might involve working three days a week, translating to around $1,200 in gross earnings per week for full-time equivalents. Per-diem civil engineers, often found in diverse settings like government DOT offices or construction sites, earn an hourly range that begins at $28.86 and peaks at $93.52 for the most experienced professionals. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates these figures reflect the realities civil engineers face in a range of environments, including consulting firms, private contracting, and development agencies.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.86 | $230.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.65 | $269.22 |
| Median (P50) | $40.69 | $325.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.68 | $397.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93.52 | $748.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Johnson City
Based on $40.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.69/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Johnson City, TN can expect to earn approximately $84,641 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,831. With a cost-of-living index of 87.93 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Johnson City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Johnson City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,627.71 | $7,053 | $84,641 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $976.63 | $4,232 | $50,785 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $651.08 | $2,821 | $33,856 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Johnson City) | $40.69 |
| 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 Johnson City, TN earn a median of $84,639 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.22% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 14.00% below the Tennessee state average of $98,417.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.69/hr = $50,785/year (purchasing power: $57,757).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,641/year (purchasing power: $96,262).
CoL index: 87.928 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Johnson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.72/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Johnson City grew 17.3% from $33.80/hr (2019) to $39.65/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.76/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 Johnson City 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 Johnson City
For those considering part-time opportunities in the civil engineering field, working a 24-hour week can yield annual earnings significantly lower than full-time counterparts. Many civil engineers in Johnson City may also take advantage of per-diem arrangements, where they can bill $100 to $180 per hour, particularly in agency roles or specialized consulting tasks. These alternative employment structures can be financially rewarding, but they often come with trade-offs regarding benefits like health insurance. Rates tend to fluctuate based on the nature of the employer; for instance, firms like AECOM or Jacobs may offer lower hourly wages but include substantial benefits packages compared to smaller firms offering higher pay without supplementary perks. Effective negotiation is vital; understanding local industry standards and being prepared to discuss benefits versus hourly rates can empower professionals in Johnson City to secure compensation that reflects their skills and contributions in the civil engineering sector.
More salary data for Johnson City, TN:
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 Johnson City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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