Civil Engineer Salary

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.

$102,253
Median Annual Salary
$49.16/hr
Hourly Rate
$75,458
Entry Level (P10)
$154,938
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Civil Engineer Hourly Rate in Tukwila, WA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Tukwila, WA civil engineer hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

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.

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About the Tukwila Market

Salary estimated from Washington average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 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.

Horizontal bars showing a civil engineer in Tukwila earning $49.16/hr would make approximately $58,992 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $102,252 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$58,992Reduced (32 hr/wk)$78,656Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$102,252

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.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$393.28
per 8hr shift
$1,966.39
per week
$8,521
per month
$102,252
per year

Schedule Comparison in Tukwila

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
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

RoleMedian 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
Horizontal bar chart comparing civil engineer median salary in Tukwila ($102,253) with Washington average ($110,664) and the US national median ($103,492).Tukwila$102,253Washington Avg$110,664-7.60%US National$103,492-1.20%

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 (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for civil engineers in Tukwila. Baseline $41.35/hr in 2025, projected to $50.45/hr by 2027.$39$43$48$53$582019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$41.35$42.07$41.82$42.72$45.55$54.89$47.90$49.16$50.45
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$41.35/hrActual
2020$42.07/hrActual
2021$41.82/hrActual
2022$42.72/hrActual
2023$45.55/hrActual
2024$54.89/hrActual
2025$47.90/hrActual
2026(current)$49.16/hrEstimated
2027$50.45/hrProjected

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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tukwila metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for civil engineers in Tukwila in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for civil engineers in Tukwila is $49.16/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.63% annual growth). Rates range from $36.28 at entry level (10th percentile) to $74.49 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 1.2% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time civil engineers make in Tukwila?

A part-time civil engineer working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Tukwila earns approximately $5,113/month, or $61,351/year at the median hourly rate of $49.16. Many civil engineers prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are civil engineers in Tukwila paid hourly or salary?

The majority of civil engineers in Tukwila are paid hourly at a median rate of $49.16/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $102,252/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time civil engineer make per year in Tukwila?

A full-time civil engineer working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Tukwila earns approximately $102,252/year at the median hourly rate of $49.16. This is 1.2% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $154,937/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do civil engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Tukwila?

Part-time and per diem civil engineers in Tukwila sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $74.49/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

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JC

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.

Clinically reviewed by Aisha Patel, Ph.D.Data verified by Carlos Ramirez, M.S.

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).

View estimation methodology

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

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