Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in McAllen, TX: $39.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in McAllen, TX runs $39.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,457 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against McAllen's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $45.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,876 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Civil engineers in McAllen, TX, can expect a median hourly pay of $39.16, significantly below the national median of $49.76. This hourly rate reflects the local market conditions and could be beneficial for part-time workers or per-diem employees, frequently found in consulting environments or public service projects. For civil engineers working three days a week, this could translate into a stable work-life balance, while those in per-diem positions generally earn more for specific assignments across various settings—such as construction site offices, remote project management, and government agencies. The hourly range spans from $30.19 at the entry level to up to $61.91 for experienced professionals, reflecting the increasing demand for civil engineering services as infrastructure projects continue to gain traction in McAllen.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.19 | $241.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.63 | $293.03 |
| Median (P50) | $39.16 | $313.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.93 | $399.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.91 | $495.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in McAllen
Based on $39.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.16/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in McAllen, TX can expect to earn approximately $81,460 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,996. With a cost-of-living index of 85.89 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in McAllen.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in McAllen
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,566.54 | $6,788 | $81,460 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $939.93 | $4,073 | $48,876 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $626.62 | $2,715 | $32,584 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (McAllen) | $39.16 |
| 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 McAllen, TX earn a median of $81,457 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.29% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 3.00% below the Texas state average of $83,977.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.16/hr = $48,876/year (purchasing power: $56,902).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,460/year (purchasing power: $94,837).
CoL index: 85.895 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+16.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in McAllen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in McAllen grew 10.9% from $34.42/hr (2019) to $38.16/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.19/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 McAllen 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 McAllen
With an anticipated growth rate of 2.63%, the civil engineering field in McAllen shows promising prospects, particularly for those considering part-time commitments. A civil engineer working 24 hours a week could see earnings that remain viable compared to full-time salaries, although the decision comes with trade-offs. Per-diem civil engineer pay in McAllen typically falls between $100 and $180 per hour, with specialized experts even commanding rates up to $250-$500 for niche services. Employers such as large consulting firms or federal agencies may offer generally lower hourly rates compared to private sector opportunities due to benefits packages. Civil engineers often face the choice of accepting lower pay with health benefits or seeking higher hourly rates as independent contractors. Those negotiating contracts should consider local market conditions and highlight their certifications, such as the PE license, to maximize their compensation.
More salary data for McAllen, 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 McAllen. 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