Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Grand Rapids, MI: $45.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Grand Rapids, MI runs $45.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $95,035 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Grand Rapids's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,022 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Grand Rapids, civil engineers are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $45.69 by 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $49.76. This wage indicates opportunities for both full-time professionals and part-time workers, with three-day work weeks offering a viable pathway for those seeking flexibility while still contributing to essential infrastructure projects. For entry-level positions, hourly wages start at approximately $31.15, while experienced civil engineers can command up to $64.41, highlighting the potential for significant financial growth within this field. This information is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data, capturing the city's evolving economic landscape for civil engineering roles.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.15 | $249.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.96 | $295.66 |
| Median (P50) | $45.69 | $365.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.62 | $428.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.41 | $515.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Rapids
Based on $45.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.69/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Rapids, MI can expect to earn approximately $95,037 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,829. With a cost-of-living index of 95.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Rapids.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Rapids
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,827.64 | $7,920 | $95,037 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,096.58 | $4,752 | $57,022 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $731.05 | $3,168 | $38,015 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Grand Rapids) | $45.69 |
| 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 Grand Rapids, MI earn a median of $95,035 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.17% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.80% below the Michigan state average of $96,777.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.69/hr = $57,022/year (purchasing power: $59,680).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $95,037/year (purchasing power: $99,467).
CoL index: 95.546 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.52/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Grand Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.52/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Grand Rapids grew 14.6% from $38.84/hr (2019) to $44.52/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.89/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 Grand 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 Grand Rapids
For part-time civil engineers working 24 hours a week in Grand Rapids, the annual take-home income can be approximately $57,252, substantially lower than full-time counterparts, yet still a notable sum for part-time employment. Those in per-diem roles often find that the flexibility comes at a premium, with rates ranging from $100 to $180 per hour. Specialized civil engineers, particularly experienced structural or forensic experts, can invoice clients at rates between $250 and $500 per hour. Hourly wages can significantly fluctuate depending on the employer type, where prominent engineering consulting firms, Fortune 500 construction companies, and government agencies provide varied pay scales. As civil engineers navigate their career paths, they face the choice of accepting lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits or seeking higher rates without health coverage. Negotiating salaries effectively in Grand Rapids often involves showcasing relevant experience and expertise, particularly for those pursuing contracts or temporary roles in this competitive market.
More salary data for Grand Rapids, MI:
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 Grand 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
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