Civil Engineer Salary

Granger vs Indianapolis: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

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

Granger, IN
$92,422
$44.44/hr
Indianapolis, IN
$104,508
$50.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGranger, INIndianapolis, IN
Median Salary$92,422$104,508
Hourly Rate$44.44$50.25
Entry Level (P10)$66,899$73,257
25th Percentile$75,468$81,591
75th Percentile$117,675$128,739
Top Earner (P90)$143,255$160,277
Total Employed72,000
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Granger ($92,422) and Indianapolis ($104,508) civil engineer salaries.GrangerIndianapolisMedian Salary$92,422$104,508Entry Level (P10)$66,899$73,257Top Earner (P90)$143,255$160,277US Median $103,492

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Granger and Indianapolis is $12,086 (13.08%). 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 Granger spans $76,356,Indianapolis spans $87,020. Indianapolis has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced civil engineers.

Granger
P10 (Entry)$66,899
P25$75,468
Median$92,422
P75$117,675
P90 (Top)$143,255
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, Indianapolis ($109,208 effective) pays 7.88% more than Granger ($101,229 effective).

Granger
Nominal: $92,422
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $101,229
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 Granger if…

  • 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)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $109,208)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Granger grew 16.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 28.6% growth in Indianapolis over the same period.

Granger, IN

+16.9%

$77,045 (2024) → $90,054 (2025)

Indianapolis, IN

+28.6%

$79,190 (2019) → $101,830 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Granger or Indianapolis?

Indianapolis has a higher median civil engineer salary at $104,508/year, compared to Granger at $92,422/year — a difference of $12,086 (13.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Granger and Indianapolis?

Granger civil engineers earn $44.44/hr while Indianapolis hygienists earn $50.25/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Granger and Indianapolis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Granger = $101,229, Indianapolis = $109,208), job availability (7 vs 2,000 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $66,899 in Granger 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