Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Des Moines, WA: $52.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Des Moines, WA runs $52.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $109,603 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Des Moines's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $65,757 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Des Moines, WA, the projected civil engineer hourly pay stands at $52.69, which surpasses the national median of $49.76. This hourly rate not only reflects the competitive nature of the market but also highlights the city’s appeal to both full-time and part-time professionals. For those considering flexible work arrangements, such as a part-time schedule of three days a week, the hourly earnings in typical environments like consulting offices, construction sites, and remote settings can provide substantial income. The hourly range for civil engineers in Des Moines varies as well, from approximately $36.42 for entry-level positions to as much as $81.67 for top-tier earners, demonstrating the potential for growth and specialization within the field.
About the Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.42 | $291.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.92 | $335.39 |
| Median (P50) | $52.69 | $421.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.15 | $537.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.67 | $653.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Des Moines
Based on $52.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $52.69/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Des Moines, WA can expect to earn approximately $109,596 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $63,228. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Des Moines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Des Moines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,107.61 | $9,133 | $109,596 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,264.57 | $5,480 | $65,757 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $843.04 | $3,653 | $43,838 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Des Moines) | $52.69 |
| 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 Des Moines, WA earn a median of $109,603 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.90% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $110,598.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $52.69/hr = $65,757/year (purchasing power: $61,227).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $109,596/year (purchasing power: $102,044).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$44.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$51.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$52.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $44.83/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $58.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $51.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Des Moines grew 15.8% from $44.32/hr (2019) to $51.34/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $54.08/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 Des Moines 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 Des Moines
When examining the earnings potential for a civil engineer working part-time, a three-day workweek yielding 24 hours can translate to an annual income much lower than that of a full-time worker, yet still lucrative compared to many other professions. Per-diem civil engineers in Des Moines, engaged on a contract basis, often command rates between $100 and $180 per hour, with expert witnesses in structural or forensic engineering sometimes billing as much as $250 to $500 hourly. Employer types play a significant role in determining salary, with engineering consulting firms typically providing competitive rates compared to government agencies. While some engineers opt for lower-paying roles with benefits, negotiation strategies focusing on hourly pay can be beneficial, especially in a city where the demand for civil engineering expertise continues to grow, driven by infrastructural initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for Des Moines, WA:
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 Des Moines. 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 Des Moines 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