Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Greenville, SC: $50.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Greenville, SC runs $50.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,534 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Greenville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.3, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,324 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Civil engineers in Greenville, SC, earn a median hourly rate of $50.74, which slightly exceeds the national median hourly rate of $49.76. This competitive pay reflects a robust demand for professionals in this field, particularly in settings such as consulting firms and government offices. The hourly range for civil engineers spans from $32.24 for entry-level positions to $79.24 for top earners, demonstrating a significant pay scale depending on experience and specialty. Those in part-time roles, such as working three days a week, can earn a substantial income while balancing personal commitments, taking full advantage of the diverse opportunities available in the region. The official BLS data for 2026 indicates that the profession’s lucrative hourly compensation is attractive for consultants, designers, and government workers alike, whether they are working in CAD-rich environments or on-site at construction projects.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.24 | $257.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.75 | $310.02 |
| Median (P50) | $50.74 | $405.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.02 | $536.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79.24 | $633.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Greenville
Based on $50.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.74/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Greenville, SC can expect to earn approximately $105,540 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,888. With a cost-of-living index of 93.26 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Greenville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Greenville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,029.61 | $8,795 | $105,540 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,217.77 | $5,277 | $63,324 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $811.84 | $3,518 | $42,216 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Greenville) | $50.74 |
| 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 Greenville, SC earn a median of $105,534 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.97% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 9.00% above the South Carolina state average of $96,821.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.74/hr = $63,324/year (purchasing power: $67,900).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,540/year (purchasing power: $113,167).
CoL index: 93.26 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Greenville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.71/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Greenville grew 18.5% from $41.71/hr (2019) to $49.44/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.07/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 Greenville 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 Greenville
Part-time civil engineers who work a 24-hour week can achieve an annual gross income that provides a comfortable lifestyle while enjoying flexibility often not available in full-time positions. Engaging in per-diem assignments, civil engineers with 1099 status frequently bill rates ranging from $100 to $180 per hour, while specialty engineers, such as those involved in geotechnical or hydraulic work, can command between $150 and $250 per hour. Positions across various employer types in Greenville yield differing hourly rates; engineering consulting firms, like AECOM and Jacobs, often offer distinctive packages compared to larger construction companies or government entities. Many engineers weigh the benefits of health insurance against the potential for higher hourly pay without benefits, making negotiations critical. For professionals in Greenville, understanding local market trends and employer expectations is vital during discussions on hourly rates, helping to secure compensation that reflects their expertise and project contributions.
More salary data for Greenville, 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 Greenville. 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