Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Wisconsin Rapids, WI: $42.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Wisconsin Rapids, WI runs $42.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,134 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Wisconsin Rapids's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $45.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,885 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wisconsin Rapids, the civil engineer hourly pay is projected to reach $42.38 in 2026. This hourly rate is notably lower than the national median of $49.76, illustrating a distinct regional pay gap. For civil engineers considering part-time work, such as a 3-day workweek, this hourly figure translates into a substantial income while allowing flexibility. Typical work settings might include consulting offices utilizing CAD and Revit software, government agencies, or remote plan-checking environments. The hourly compensation ranges from $30.70 for entry-level positions to $63.57 for highly experienced engineers, reflecting the breadth of opportunities within different sectors, including consulting, construction, and public works.
About the Wisconsin Rapids Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.70 | $245.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.50 | $267.99 |
| Median (P50) | $42.38 | $339.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.45 | $419.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.57 | $508.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wisconsin Rapids
Based on $42.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.38/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wisconsin Rapids, WI can expect to earn approximately $88,142 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,851. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wisconsin Rapids.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wisconsin Rapids
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,695.04 | $7,345 | $88,142 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,017.02 | $4,407 | $52,885 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $678.01 | $2,938 | $35,257 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Wisconsin Rapids) | $42.38 |
| 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 Wisconsin Rapids, WI earn a median of $88,134 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.84% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 8.30% below the Wisconsin state average of $96,111.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.38/hr = $52,885/year (purchasing power: $56,622).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,142/year (purchasing power: $94,370).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Wisconsin Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.27/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.49/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Wisconsin Rapids grew 15.8% from $35.65/hr (2019) to $41.29/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.49/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 Wisconsin Rapids 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 Wisconsin Rapids
For civil engineers contemplating part-time positions, working three days a week could yield an annual income of approximately $52,121, significantly less than a full-time salary but still substantial for part-time work. Per-diem civil engineer pay in Wisconsin Rapids varies widely; those operating as independent contractors or 1099 employees often bill at rates ranging from $100 to $180 per hour, while specialized professionals in structural or forensic engineering can command fees as high as $500 per hour. Rates also differ depending on the employer, with consulting firms like AECOM and Stantec typically offering lower hourly pay balanced by benefits, while larger construction firms may compensate more generously but with fewer perks. This creates a complex decision-making scenario for engineers: accepting lower hourly rates for the security of benefits or pursuing higher pay without the safety net of traditional employment. Negotiating hourly pay effectively involves understanding local market conditions and being prepared to advocate for one's worth based on skill set and experience.
More salary data for Wisconsin Rapids, 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 Wisconsin Rapids. 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 Wisconsin Rapids 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