Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Tukwila, WA: $49.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Tukwila, WA runs $49.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,253 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Tukwila's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $45.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,351 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Civil engineers in Tukwila, Washington, earn a median hourly rate of $49.16, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $49.76. This average provides a strong foundation for both full-time employees and those seeking part-time roles in the profession. For those working three days a week, a civil engineer can expect to earn approximately $1,576.80 weekly, making it a viable option for professionals looking to maintain a work-life balance while contributing to projects in consulting firms, government offices, or even remote work settings. The hourly pay can range from $36.28 for entry-level positions to $74.49 for those at the top-tier of experience, showcasing a diverse spectrum that appeals to varying levels of expertise in different work environments, such as construction site offices, design review rooms, or even CAD-heavy tasks.
About the Tukwila 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) | $36.28 | $290.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.35 | $314.79 |
| Median (P50) | $49.16 | $393.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.31 | $490.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74.49 | $595.91 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tukwila
Based on $49.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.16/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tukwila, WA can expect to earn approximately $102,252 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,992. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Tukwila.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tukwila
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,966.39 | $8,521 | $102,252 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,179.83 | $5,113 | $61,351 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $786.56 | $3,408 | $40,901 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Tukwila) | $49.16 |
| 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 Tukwila, WA earn a median of $102,253 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.20% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 7.60% below the Washington state average of $110,664.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.16/hr = $61,351/year (purchasing power: $57,124).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,252/year (purchasing power: $95,207).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$41.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Tukwila (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Tukwila grew 15.8% from $41.35/hr (2019) to $47.90/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.45/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 Tukwila 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 Tukwila
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When considering part-time earning potential, a civil engineer working 24 hours a week might take home around $82,999 annually, a significant figure when compared to full-time workers. Per-diem civil engineer pay in Tukwila varies widely, with many professionals billing between $100 and $180 per hour, depending on their specialization. For experienced structural engineers serving as expert witnesses, rates can climb even higher, ranging from $250 to $500 per hour, particularly in areas requiring high-level expertise like forensic engineering or geotechnical investigations. It's worth noting that hourly pay tends to fluctuate across different types of employers, such as engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, or Fortune 500 construction giants like Bechtel and Kiewit. While some engineers may choose lower hourly rates for the added benefits of full-time employment, others may prefer higher pay without those perks. Negotiating effectively is crucial; professionals should clearly articulate their worth based on market trends and project their specific skills to secure the best possible offer in Tukwila's evolving job landscape.
More salary data for Tukwila, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for civil engineers in Tukwila in 2026?
How much do part-time civil engineers make in Tukwila?
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Do civil engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Tukwila?
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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 Tukwila. 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 Tukwila 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