Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Aiken, SC: $46.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Aiken, SC runs $46.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $95,984 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Aiken's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,586 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Aiken, South Carolina, the projected median hourly pay for civil engineers in 2026 is set at $46.14, slightly below the national median hourly rate of $49.76. This difference may impact part-time workers, such as those pursuing opportunities through consulting firms or local governments, where they might work three days a week, earning around $28,707 annually at this rate. For per-diem civil engineer pay in Aiken, professionals typically find lucrative positions in various work environments including CAD-heavy offices, on-site construction projects, and governmental departments. The hourly range extends from $32.16 for entry-level positions to $71.52 for experienced engineers, reflecting both the skill set and expertise developed over time.
About the Aiken Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.16 | $257.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.76 | $294.10 |
| Median (P50) | $46.14 | $369.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58.86 | $470.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71.52 | $572.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Aiken
Based on $46.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.14/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Aiken, SC can expect to earn approximately $95,976 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,371. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Aiken.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Aiken
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,845.70 | $7,998 | $95,976 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,107.42 | $4,799 | $57,586 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $738.28 | $3,199 | $38,391 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Aiken) | $46.14 |
| 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 Aiken, SC earn a median of $95,984 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.25% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 0.80% below the South Carolina state average of $96,758.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.14/hr = $57,586/year (purchasing power: $62,935).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $95,976/year (purchasing power: $104,892).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Aiken (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Aiken grew 15.8% from $38.82/hr (2019) to $44.96/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.36/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 Aiken 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 Aiken
Part-time civil engineers could experience a significant difference in earnings depending on their work arrangements compared to their full-time counterparts. A civil engineer working three days a week (24 hours) would take home approximately $28,707 annually, significantly less than if they worked full-time. Per-diem civil engineers in Aiken often charge rates between $100 and $180 hourly, with specialized roles in structural or forensic engineering reaching even higher, billing $250 to $500 hourly. Employment types can influence compensation; those in large engineering firms like AECOM or Jacobs might receive more comprehensive benefits but could trade off higher hourly wages often seen in private consulting. Negotiating terms in Aiken may also present unique opportunities—engineers should consider not just the hourly pay but the associated benefits, and to effectively discuss compensation, be prepared to highlight unique skills or certifications like the PE license, which are critical in securing senior roles in competitive sectors.
More salary data for Aiken, SC:
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 Aiken. 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 Aiken 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