Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Harlingen, TX: $39.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Harlingen, TX runs $39.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,183 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Harlingen's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,710 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Harlingen, TX, civil engineers earn a median hourly rate of $39.03, significantly lower than the national median of $49.76. This means that those in this field have to carefully consider their work arrangements; part-time civil engineers working three days a week could earn roughly $1,200 per week before taxes, making it a viable option for balancing other commitments. The hourly wages range from $26.11 for entry-level roles to an impressive $60.50 for top earners. Given that these figures are derived from annual salary estimates, they're reflective of a diverse range of settings, from consulting firms with advanced design software to government offices managing infrastructure projects. Civil engineers in Harlingen are also positioned to benefit from the steady demand for their services, driven by ongoing infrastructure investment.
About the Harlingen 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) | $26.11 | $208.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.90 | $255.18 |
| Median (P50) | $39.03 | $312.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.48 | $395.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.50 | $484.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Harlingen
Based on $39.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.03/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Harlingen, TX can expect to earn approximately $81,183 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,836. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Harlingen.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Harlingen
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,561.21 | $6,765 | $81,183 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $936.72 | $4,059 | $48,710 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $624.48 | $2,706 | $32,473 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Harlingen) | $39.03 |
| 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 Harlingen, TX earn a median of $81,183 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.56% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 3.30% below the Texas state average of $83,954.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.03/hr = $48,710/year (purchasing power: $50,739).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,183/year (purchasing power: $84,565).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Harlingen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Harlingen grew 15.8% from $32.83/hr (2019) to $38.03/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.06/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 Harlingen 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 Harlingen
For those considering part-time work, the earning potential can vary greatly. A civil engineer working a typical schedule of 24 hours a week might take home around $61,000 annually, which is a significant difference compared to full-time earnings. Per-diem civil engineers in Harlingen can often charge between $100 and $180 per hour, allowing for flexible work arrangements while commanding a premium rate. Specialized engineers like forensic experts or geotechnical consultants may access rates ranging from $150 to $500 per hour, depending on their expertise and the complexity of the project. In terms of employer types, hourly wages can fluctuate: large engineering firms tend to pay more compared to government positions, which might offer more in the way of health benefits but lower hourly rates. When negotiating hours, professionals should weigh the importance of benefits against higher hourly rates that may not come with job security. Negotiation strategies can be simpler in Harlingen's competitive market, where demonstrating local connections or specific skills can lead to improved offers.
More salary data for Harlingen, 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 Harlingen. 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 Harlingen 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