Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Racine, WI: $46.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Racine, WI runs $46.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $96,872 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Racine's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,124 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

For civil engineers working in Racine, Wisconsin, the projected median hourly pay in 2026 is set at $46.57. This figure is notably lower than the national hourly median of $49.76, highlighting a regional wage variation within the profession. For part-time civil engineers operating around three days a week, this translates to about $1,214 in weekly earnings, which can be quite appealing for those balancing work with personal commitments or further education. Additionally, entry-level positions typically start around $35.48 per hour, while experienced professionals can see their hourly rates soar up to $67.10. These statistics are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, providing valuable insight into the current state and future of civil engineer hourly pay in Racine.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.48 | $283.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.80 | $286.38 |
| Median (P50) | $46.57 | $372.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59.59 | $476.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67.10 | $536.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Racine
Based on $46.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.57/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Racine, WI can expect to earn approximately $96,873 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,888. With a cost-of-living index of 95.96 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Racine.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Racine
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,862.94 | $8,073 | $96,873 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,117.76 | $4,844 | $58,124 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $745.18 | $3,229 | $38,749 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Racine) | $46.57 |
| 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 Racine, WI earn a median of $96,872 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.40% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.80% above the Wisconsin state average of $96,104.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.57/hr = $58,124/year (purchasing power: $60,570).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $96,873/year (purchasing power: $100,950).
CoL index: 95.961 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Racine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.80/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Racine grew 8.4% from $41.85/hr (2019) to $45.38/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.80/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 Racine 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 Racine
When evaluating the financial landscape for part-time civil engineers in Racine, annual earnings from a 24-hour workweek yield approximately $63,168. This is significantly less than full-time earnings but still a viable option for many in the workforce. It's not uncommon for per-diem civil engineers to command rates between $100 and $180 per hour for specialized expertise, such as structural assessments or geotechnical investigations. In contrast, consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs may offer more stable hourly wages within the $74,468 to $123,946 range, but typically come with benefits that might not be found in contract or agency roles. Engineers often negotiate pay based on their skills and licensure status; those with a PE license can venture into advisory roles with higher hourly rates, while younger engineers might accept lower rates for guaranteed benefits. Knowing the market and employer compensation practices along with leveraging regional connections can significantly aid in attaining optimal pay in this competitive field.
More salary data for Racine, 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 Racine. 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