Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Wausau, WI: $42.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Wausau, WI runs $42.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,046 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Wausau's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $45.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,834 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Civil engineers in Wausau, Wisconsin, earn a median hourly rate of $42.33 for their expertise, which is notably lower than the national average of $49.76 per hour. This difference indicates that professionals in Wausau might encounter unique market conditions influenced by local demand and cost of living, which is indexed at 92.651—below the national average. For those considering part-time work, a civil engineer working three days a week can expect to work around 24 hours, translating into a salary that allows for a flexible lifestyle while still earning a competitive wage. The hourly rate spans from approximately $30.56 for entry-level positions to $64.72 for top earners, making it accessible for various skill levels. This BLS data provides an official snapshot of what civil engineers can anticipate earning in a city that serves as a hub for various types of engineering roles.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.56 | $244.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.15 | $305.18 |
| Median (P50) | $42.33 | $338.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.02 | $416.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.72 | $517.75 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wausau
Based on $42.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.33/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wausau, WI can expect to earn approximately $88,057 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,802. With a cost-of-living index of 92.65 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wausau.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wausau
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,693.39 | $7,338 | $88,057 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,016.04 | $4,403 | $52,834 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $677.36 | $2,935 | $35,223 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Wausau) | $42.33 |
| 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 Wausau, WI earn a median of $88,046 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.92% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 8.40% below the Wisconsin state average of $96,120.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.33/hr = $52,834/year (purchasing power: $57,025).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,057/year (purchasing power: $95,041).
CoL index: 92.651 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Wausau grew 17.1% from $35.22/hr (2019) to $41.25/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.45/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 Wausau 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 Wausau
When contemplating the financial landscape, part-time civil engineers in Wausau can take home a substantial income, yet they may find their annual earnings fall short compared to full-time professionals. Those operating on a per-diem basis might see significant earnings, with billing rates typically ranging from $100 to $180 per hour, and experts in the field can command considerably more, reaching up to $500 an hour for specialized consulting work. Employers vary widely across Wausau, including large engineering firms like AECOM and Jacobs, as well as state and federal agencies. The trade-off between higher hourly rates and benefits is frequently a point of negotiation, as some may prefer stable compensation with health insurance over higher pay that lacks traditional benefits. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for engineers looking to carve out a niche in Wausau, where strategic negotiation skills can greatly enhance overall compensation while aligning with personal and professional goals.
More salary data for Wausau, 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 Wausau. 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