Civil Engineer Salary

Brownsburg vs Fort Wayne: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare civil engineer salaries between Brownsburg, IN and Fort Wayne, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Brownsburg, IN
$91,241
$43.86/hr
Fort Wayne, IN
$91,259
$43.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBrownsburg, INFort Wayne, IN
Median Salary$91,241$91,259
Hourly Rate$43.86$43.87
Entry Level (P10)$64,045$64,441
25th Percentile$71,070$76,808
75th Percentile$114,877$107,351
Top Earner (P90)$141,136$134,917
Total Employed7250
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Brownsburg ($91,241) and Fort Wayne ($91,259) civil engineer salaries.BrownsburgFort WayneMedian Salary$91,241$91,259Entry Level (P10)$64,045$64,441Top Earner (P90)$141,136$134,917US Median $103,492

Verdict

Fort Wayne, IN offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Brownsburg.

The salary gap between Brownsburg and Fort Wayne is $18 (0.02%). Fort Wayne's median is -11.82% compared to the US national median of $103,492.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Brownsburg spans $77,091,Fort Wayne spans $70,476. Brownsburg has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Brownsburg
P10 (Entry)$64,045
P25$71,070
Median$91,241
P75$114,877
P90 (Top)$141,136
Fort Wayne
P10 (Entry)$64,441
P25$76,808
Median$91,259
P75$107,351
P90 (Top)$134,917

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Brownsburg ($99,935 effective) pays 1.37% more than Fort Wayne ($98,582 effective).

Brownsburg
Nominal: $91,241
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $99,935
Fort Wayne
Nominal: $91,259
CoL Index: 92.572
Adjusted: $98,582

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Brownsburg if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($141,136)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $99,935)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Fort Wayne if…

  • Higher median salary ($91,259/year)
  • Larger job market (250 employed)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Brownsburg grew 16.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 24.8% growth in Fort Wayne over the same period.

Brownsburg, IN

+16.9%

$76,060 (2024) → $88,903 (2025)

Fort Wayne, IN

+24.8%

$71,250 (2019) → $88,920 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Brownsburg or Fort Wayne?

Fort Wayne has a higher median civil engineer salary at $91,259/year, compared to Brownsburg at $91,241/year — a difference of $18 (0.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Brownsburg and Fort Wayne?

Brownsburg civil engineers earn $43.86/hr while Fort Wayne hygienists earn $43.87/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Brownsburg to Fort Wayne as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Brownsburg and Fort Wayne. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Brownsburg = $99,935, Fort Wayne = $98,582), job availability (7 vs 250 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level civil engineers earn in Brownsburg vs Fort Wayne?

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $64,045 in Brownsburg and $64,441 in Fort Wayne. The Fort Wayne area offers higher starting salaries.
JC

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.

Clinically reviewed by Aisha Patel, Ph.D.Data verified by Carlos Ramirez, M.S.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.63% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov