Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Milwaukee, WI: $47.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Milwaukee, WI runs $47.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $98,720 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Milwaukee's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.9, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,225 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Milwaukee, the civil engineer hourly pay stands at a median of $47.46, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $49.76. This figure is indicative of what both full-time and part-time civil engineers can expect in the region, especially those working in various environments such as consulting firms, construction sites, and government offices. For professionals considering part-time work, such as a three-day workweek, this translates to a substantial income while allowing for flexibility in personal schedules. The hourly pay range varies significantly, with entry-level positions earning approximately $33.48 per hour and experienced professionals reaching upwards of $64.66, reflecting a robust job market backed by ongoing infrastructure initiatives and a competitive landscape in civil engineering.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.48 | $267.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.15 | $305.18 |
| Median (P50) | $47.46 | $379.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55.56 | $444.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.66 | $517.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Milwaukee
Based on $47.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.46/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Milwaukee, WI can expect to earn approximately $98,709 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,947. With a cost-of-living index of 96.94 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Milwaukee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Milwaukee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,898.24 | $8,226 | $98,709 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,138.95 | $4,935 | $59,225 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $759.30 | $3,290 | $39,483 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Milwaukee) | $47.46 |
| 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 Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $98,720 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.61% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 2.70% above the Wisconsin state average of $96,124.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.46/hr = $59,225/year (purchasing power: $61,097).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $98,709/year (purchasing power: $101,828).
CoL index: 96.937 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Milwaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Milwaukee grew 29.8% from $35.63/hr (2019) to $46.24/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.70/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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee
Taking a closer look at the financial prospects for civil engineers in Milwaukee reveals a nuanced picture of what part-time professionals can earn annually compared to their full-time counterparts. A civil engineer working 24 hours a week can net about $59,000 per year, significantly less than the full-time earnings but still a respectable wage considering the ability to balance work and personal commitments. Per-diem civil engineers in Milwaukee often command higher hourly rates, billing between $100 and $180, while specialists such as forensic engineers may see their fees rise to $250 to $500 per hour for expert witness work. Hourly rates fluctuate across different employers, with consulting firms often offering competitive pay to attract talented engineers, while public sector roles may afford stability and benefits despite lower hourly compensation. These dynamics encourage civil engineers to negotiate based on their unique situations, weighing the benefits of higher pay against the security that comes with full-time positions.
More salary data for Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee. 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