Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Denton, TX: $40.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Denton, TX runs $40.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,519 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Denton's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,106 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Denton, TX, civil engineers earn a median hourly pay of $40.15, which falls below the national median of $49.76. This hourly rate serves as a valuable benchmark for professionals considering part-time or per-diem roles within various settings, such as engineering consulting firms, construction site field offices, and government agencies. For example, a civil engineer working part-time for three days a week could expect stable earnings, making this rate appealing for those balancing multiple commitments. The hourly pay ranges from $27.38 for entry-level positions to $62.23 for the most experienced civil engineers, illustrating the potential for growth within the field. Understanding these figures helps aspiring professionals gauge their expected compensation in different environments, particularly in a city with a relatively low cost of living indexed at 96.
About the Denton Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.38 | $219.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.77 | $254.19 |
| Median (P50) | $40.15 | $321.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.40 | $411.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.23 | $497.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Denton
Based on $40.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.15/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Denton, TX can expect to earn approximately $83,510 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,179. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Denton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Denton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,605.95 | $6,959 | $83,510 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $963.57 | $4,175 | $50,106 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $642.38 | $2,784 | $33,404 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Denton) | $40.15 |
| 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 Denton, TX earn a median of $83,519 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.30% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.60% below the Texas state average of $84,023.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.15/hr = $50,106/year (purchasing power: $52,194).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,510/year (purchasing power: $86,989).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.15/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Denton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Denton grew 15.8% from $33.77/hr (2019) to $39.12/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.20/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 Denton 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 Denton
Exploring the earning potential for civil engineers in Denton can reveal significant variations based on work arrangements and employer types. A civil engineer working 24 hours a week at the median hourly rate might take home approximately $50,885 annually, contrasting sharply with the financial rewards of a full-time position. For those in per-diem roles or working as 1099 independent contractors, the pay scale can be notably higher, with rates ranging from $100 to $180 per hour being common for licensed professionals. Moreover, specialized roles such as forensic engineering can command up to $500 per hour. The diversity in compensation reflects differences in mission-focused roles across engineering consulting firms, Fortune 500 construction companies, governmental entities, and more. When negotiating pay, engineers may face a trade-off between higher hourly rates without benefits and lower rates that include health coverage. Practical strategies like emphasizing experience, credentials, and demonstrating market demand for their skill set can be essential for securing a favorable hourly wage in Denton.
More salary data for Denton, TX:
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 Denton. 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 Denton 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