Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Moses Lake, WA: $51.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Moses Lake, WA runs $51.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $106,718 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Moses Lake's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $47.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $64,028 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Moses Lake, Washington, civil engineers can expect to earn a competitive median hourly rate of $51.30, which is notably higher than the national median of $49.76. This wage allows for a comfortable living in the region and presents favorable opportunities for part-time and per-diem civil engineers. With flexible work schedules, those working three days a week could still bring in solid earnings while fitting their work around other commitments. In terms of hourly pay, entry-level positions start around $37.58, while top earners can make up to $79.53 per hour, reflecting the diverse range of roles available in consulting offices, government agencies, and construction sites throughout Moses Lake.
About the Moses Lake 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) | $37.58 | $300.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.26 | $338.10 |
| Median (P50) | $51.30 | $410.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65.67 | $525.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79.53 | $636.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Moses Lake
Based on $51.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.30/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Moses Lake, WA can expect to earn approximately $106,714 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,566. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Moses Lake.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Moses Lake
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,052.19 | $8,893 | $106,714 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,231.31 | $5,336 | $64,028 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $820.88 | $3,557 | $42,686 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Moses Lake) | $51.30 |
| 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 Moses Lake, WA earn a median of $106,718 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.12% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 3.50% below the Washington state average of $110,588.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.30/hr = $64,028/year (purchasing power: $59,617).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $106,714/year (purchasing power: $99,361).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$43.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.30/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Moses Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $57.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Moses Lake grew 15.8% from $43.16/hr (2019) to $49.99/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.65/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 Moses Lake 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 Moses Lake
Civil engineers considering part-time work in Moses Lake should assess their annual earnings potential carefully. A part-time civil engineer working 24 hours a week could take home approximately $66,706 annually, which presents a meaningful income compared to full-time salaries. Per-diem arrangements are common, particularly for PE-licensed engineers, who can charge anywhere from $100 to $180 per hour. Niche specialties, such as forensic engineering, may command even higher rates, ranging from $250 to $500 per hour. Different employers also influence hourly rates; engineering consulting firms tend to offer competitive pay structures, while larger construction companies and government entities may factor in health benefits at the cost of higher hourly wages. Negotiating effectively for hourly rates in Moses Lake can significantly impact overall compensation, making it essential for civil engineers to consider both hourly pay and benefits when evaluating job offers.
More salary data for Moses Lake, 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 Moses Lake. 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 Moses Lake 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