Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Ellensburg, WA: $50.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Ellensburg, WA runs $50.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,530 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Ellensburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $47.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,324 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ellensburg, Washington, civil engineers earn a median hourly rate of $50.74, which surpasses the national median of $49.76. This favorable rate offers robust compensation for both full-time positions and part-time or per-diem work. For instance, a civil engineer working part-time three days a week can expect to generate a substantial income while benefiting from flexible working arrangements that may include opportunities in consulting firms or construction site offices. The hourly wage range for civil engineers in Ellensburg spans from $35.85 for entry-level positions to $76.85 for highly experienced professionals, reflecting the varied responsibilities and expertise in this field. Such rates are derived from annual income estimates, highlighting the potential for diverse working scenarios in disciplines like CAD design, field investigations, and regulatory reviews.
About the Ellensburg 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) | $35.85 | $286.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.59 | $324.72 |
| Median (P50) | $50.74 | $405.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.26 | $506.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76.85 | $614.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ellensburg
Based on $50.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.74/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ellensburg, WA can expect to earn approximately $105,540 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,888. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Ellensburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ellensburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,029.61 | $8,795 | $105,540 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,217.77 | $5,277 | $63,324 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $811.84 | $3,518 | $42,216 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Ellensburg) | $50.74 |
| 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 Ellensburg, WA earn a median of $105,530 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.97% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 4.60% below the Washington state average of $110,619.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.74/hr = $63,324/year (purchasing power: $58,961).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,540/year (purchasing power: $98,268).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$42.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Ellensburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $56.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Ellensburg grew 15.8% from $42.68/hr (2019) to $49.44/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.07/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 Ellensburg 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 Ellensburg
With the growth of infrastructure projects under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the demand for skilled civil engineers is projected to rise, positioning them favorably in the job market. A part-time civil engineer, logging 24 hours a week, could take home approximately $62,382 annually, demonstrating a solid earning pathway without a full-time commitment. Conversely, those in per-diem roles—such as agency or locum engineers—often charge fees ranging from $100 to $180 per hour, with specialized areas, like forensic engineering, commanding even higher rates of $250 to $500 hourly. In Ellensburg, hourly pay can vary significantly based on the employer, with consulting firms, federal agencies, and education institutions offering different packages. As some engineers opt for jobs with lower hourly rates that include benefits like health insurance, others may prioritize higher pay without additional perks. Understanding and negotiating the particulars of hourly compensation are essential for civil engineers in this evolving job landscape.
More salary data for Ellensburg, 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 Ellensburg. 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 Ellensburg 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