Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Smyrna, TN: $47.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Smyrna, TN runs $47.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $99,447 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Smyrna's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,674 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Civil engineers in Smyrna, Tennessee, earn a median hourly rate of $47.82, which is slightly below the national median of $49.76. This hourly pay translates well for professionals working part-time or those on a per-diem basis. For instance, a civil engineer working three days a week could expect to earn approximately $1,151.68 per week, providing a substantial income relative to local costs. The hourly rate can range significantly, from approximately $32.23 at entry-level positions to as much as $74.11 for the top earners in the field. Those figures are reflective of data derived from annual salaries, indicating the diverse applications of civil engineer roles in various settings, including consulting firms, government offices, and construction sites.
About the Smyrna Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.23 | $257.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.44 | $299.52 |
| Median (P50) | $47.82 | $382.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.20 | $489.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74.11 | $592.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Smyrna
Based on $47.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.82/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Smyrna, TN can expect to earn approximately $99,456 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,378. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Smyrna.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Smyrna
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,912.61 | $8,288 | $99,456 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,147.57 | $4,973 | $59,674 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $765.05 | $3,315 | $39,782 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Smyrna) | $47.82 |
| 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 Smyrna, TN earn a median of $99,447 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.91% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.10% above the Tennessee state average of $98,365.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.82/hr = $59,674/year (purchasing power: $65,004).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $99,456/year (purchasing power: $108,340).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Smyrna (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.92/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Smyrna grew 15.8% from $40.22/hr (2019) to $46.59/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.07/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 Smyrna 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 Smyrna
Examining the part-time earning potential, a civil engineer working 24 hours a week could realistically bring home around $59,886 annually, ensuring a comfortable lifestyle without the full-time commitment. For more flexible roles, per diem civil engineers may command rates between $100 and $180 per hour; however, prominent specialists in structural or forensic engineering can charge from $250 to $500 per hour. Hourly rates may differ based on the employer, with engineering consulting firms like AECOM or Jacobs typically offering more competitive packages. While it might be tempting for some to accept lower pay for health benefits, it's essential to weigh these trade-offs carefully. Negotiating for a higher hourly pay can be fruitful, especially if you highlight specialized skills or experience in high-demand areas such as geotechnical investigations or hydraulic studies, making Smyrna's job market promising for qualified civil engineers.
More salary data for Smyrna, 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 Smyrna. 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 Smyrna 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