Civil Engineer Salary

Goshen vs Indianapolis: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare civil engineer salaries between Goshen, IN and Indianapolis, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Goshen, IN
$100,502
$48.32/hr
Indianapolis, IN
$104,508
$50.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGoshen, INIndianapolis, IN
Median Salary$100,502$104,508
Hourly Rate$48.32$50.25
Entry Level (P10)$71,872$73,257
25th Percentile$81,732$81,591
75th Percentile$127,639$128,739
Top Earner (P90)$155,779$160,277
Total Employed62,000
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Goshen ($100,502) and Indianapolis ($104,508) civil engineer salaries.GoshenIndianapolisMedian Salary$100,502$104,508Entry Level (P10)$71,872$73,257Top Earner (P90)$155,779$160,277US Median $103,492

Verdict

Indianapolis, IN offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Goshen.

The salary gap between Goshen and Indianapolis is $4,006 (3.99%). Indianapolis's median is +0.98% compared to the US national median of $103,492.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Goshen spans $83,907,Indianapolis spans $87,020. Indianapolis has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced civil engineers.

Goshen
P10 (Entry)$71,872
P25$81,732
Median$100,502
P75$127,639
P90 (Top)$155,779
Indianapolis
P10 (Entry)$73,257
P25$81,591
Median$104,508
P75$128,739
P90 (Top)$160,277

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Goshen ($110,079 effective) pays 0.80% more than Indianapolis ($109,208 effective).

Goshen
Nominal: $100,502
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $110,079
Indianapolis
Nominal: $104,508
CoL Index: 95.696
Adjusted: $109,208

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Goshen if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $110,079)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Indianapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($104,508/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($160,277)
  • Larger job market (2,000 employed)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Goshen grew 27.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 28.6% growth in Indianapolis over the same period.

Goshen, IN

+27.5%

$76,833 (2024) → $97,927 (2025)

Indianapolis, IN

+28.6%

$79,190 (2019) → $101,830 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Goshen or Indianapolis?

Indianapolis has a higher median civil engineer salary at $104,508/year, compared to Goshen at $100,502/year — a difference of $4,006 (3.99%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Goshen and Indianapolis?

Goshen civil engineers earn $48.32/hr while Indianapolis hygienists earn $50.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Goshen to Indianapolis as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Goshen and Indianapolis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Goshen = $110,079, Indianapolis = $109,208), job availability (6 vs 2,000 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level civil engineers earn in Goshen vs Indianapolis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $71,872 in Goshen and $73,257 in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis 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