Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Appleton, WI: $45.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Appleton, WI runs $45.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $95,025 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Appleton's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.4, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,009 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Appleton, Wisconsin, civil engineers can expect a median hourly pay of $45.68, which is slightly below the national average of $49.76. This rate is particularly significant for part-time or per-diem civil engineers who may work three days a week, allowing for flexibility in their work schedules. Hourly pay in this field can vary widely, with entry-level positions earning around $32.65, while the top 10% of earners can command rates as high as $64.02. Such distinctions are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data and reflect the range of opportunities available in various settings—such as engineering consulting firms equipped with CAD and other advanced software, construction sites, and government offices.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.65 | $261.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.47 | $291.80 |
| Median (P50) | $45.68 | $365.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.95 | $423.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.02 | $512.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Appleton
Based on $45.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.68/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Appleton, WI can expect to earn approximately $95,016 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,817. With a cost-of-living index of 92.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Appleton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Appleton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,827.22 | $7,918 | $95,016 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,096.33 | $4,751 | $57,009 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $730.89 | $3,167 | $38,006 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Appleton) | $45.68 |
| 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 Appleton, WI earn a median of $95,025 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.18% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.10% below the Wisconsin state average of $96,082.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.68/hr = $57,009/year (purchasing power: $61,686).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $95,016/year (purchasing power: $102,810).
CoL index: 92.419 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Appleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Appleton grew 18.5% from $37.56/hr (2019) to $44.51/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.88/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 Appleton 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 Appleton
For those considering part-time roles in civil engineering, working 24 hours a week could yield an annual income of approximately $57,270, significantly less than a full-time engineer, but still offering a decent livelihood. In contrast, per-diem civil engineer pay in Appleton tends to be more lucrative, with some professionals billing between $100 and $180 per hour, depending on their expertise and project demands. Experienced structural and forensic engineers can charge premium rates, sometimes reaching $250 to $500 per hour. The employer type also affects hourly compensation; firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP typically provide competitive rates, while state and federal agencies might offer benefits leading to lower hourly, but more secure, pay. Engineers often navigate choices between accepting lower hourly rates for benefits or seeking higher pay as contractors without those safety nets, emphasizing the need for thoughtful negotiations on compensation and work conditions.
More salary data for Appleton, WI:
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 Appleton. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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