Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Nashville, TN: $48.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Nashville, TN runs $48.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,244 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Nashville's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.3, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,749 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Nashville, TN, civil engineers earn a median hourly pay of $48.68, slightly below the national hourly median of $49.76. For professionals working part-time, such as those on a three-day workweek schedule, this equates to an annual income of approximately $38,793, which offers flexibility while still tapping into a lucrative field. Diverse work settings—including consulting firm offices equipped with CAD software, government DOT facilities, or remote hybrid roles—provide various opportunities for civil engineers to thrive. The hourly pay varies significantly across the profession; newcomers might start around $32.78, while seasoned professionals could earn up to $79.34, emphasizing the pathways available for advancement in this essential field. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, painting a promising picture for the civil engineering community in Nashville.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.78 | $262.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.77 | $310.19 |
| Median (P50) | $48.68 | $389.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.28 | $490.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79.34 | $634.75 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Nashville
Based on $48.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.68/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Nashville, TN can expect to earn approximately $101,249 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,413. With a cost-of-living index of 96.34 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Nashville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Nashville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,947.10 | $8,437 | $101,249 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,168.26 | $5,062 | $60,749 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $778.84 | $3,375 | $40,500 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Nashville) | $48.68 |
| 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 Nashville, TN earn a median of $101,244 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.17% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 2.90% above the Tennessee state average of $98,391.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.68/hr = $60,749/year (purchasing power: $63,059).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,249/year (purchasing power: $105,098).
CoL index: 96.338 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Nashville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Nashville grew 26.0% from $37.64/hr (2019) to $47.43/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.96/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 Nashville 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 Nashville
Analyzing the earning potential reveals that a part-time civil engineer working 24 hours per week could still contribute significantly to their annual income while maintaining flexibility. These professionals compete with per-diem civil engineers who typically command billing rates from $100 to $180 per hour. In some cases, highly experienced experts such as forensic engineers can even manage rates of $250 to $500 per hour, particularly in niche markets or consulting roles focused on specialty studies. Employment type can influence hourly rates considerably; for example, engineers at larger firms like AECOM or Jacobs may receive more competitive offers than those working for local government agencies. While some might opt for positions offering lower hourly rates but comprehensive benefits, others might prioritize higher pay for increased flexibility. For those working hourly in Nashville, understanding the nuances of employer types and preparing for negotiations can enhance their position in a competitive job market influenced by ongoing infrastructure investment initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for Nashville, 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 Nashville. 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