Civil Engineer Salary

Indianapolis vs Jeffersonville: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

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

Indianapolis, IN
$104,508
$50.25/hr
Jeffersonville, IN
$92,857
$44.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIndianapolis, INJeffersonville, IN
Median Salary$104,508$92,857
Hourly Rate$50.25$44.64
Entry Level (P10)$73,257$67,924
25th Percentile$81,591$76,347
75th Percentile$128,739$115,251
Top Earner (P90)$160,277$143,927
Total Employed2,00011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Indianapolis ($104,508) and Jeffersonville ($92,857) civil engineer salaries.IndianapolisJeffersonvilleMedian Salary$104,508$92,857Entry Level (P10)$73,257$67,924Top Earner (P90)$160,277$143,927US Median $103,492

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Indianapolis and Jeffersonville is $11,651 (12.55%). 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 Indianapolis spans $87,020,Jeffersonville spans $76,003. Indianapolis has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Indianapolis
P10 (Entry)$73,257
P25$81,591
Median$104,508
P75$128,739
P90 (Top)$160,277
Jeffersonville
P10 (Entry)$67,924
P25$76,347
Median$92,857
P75$115,251
P90 (Top)$143,927

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Indianapolis ($109,208 effective) pays 7.38% more than Jeffersonville ($101,705 effective).

Indianapolis
Nominal: $104,508
CoL Index: 95.696
Adjusted: $109,208
Jeffersonville
Nominal: $92,857
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $101,705

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Jeffersonville if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Indianapolis grew 28.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 16.9% growth in Jeffersonville over the same period.

Indianapolis, IN

+28.6%

$79,190 (2019) → $101,830 (2025)

Jeffersonville, IN

+16.9%

$77,407 (2024) → $90,477 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Indianapolis or Jeffersonville?

Indianapolis has a higher median civil engineer salary at $104,508/year, compared to Jeffersonville at $92,857/year — a difference of $11,651 (12.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Indianapolis and Jeffersonville?

Indianapolis civil engineers earn $50.25/hr while Jeffersonville hygienists earn $44.64/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Indianapolis and Jeffersonville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Indianapolis = $109,208, Jeffersonville = $101,705), job availability (2,000 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $73,257 in Indianapolis and $67,924 in Jeffersonville. 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