Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Evansville, IN: $66,648 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Evansville, IN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $66,648 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Evansville's local price level (BEA RPP 91.5 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $72,817 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($90,212) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, salaries for entry-level civil engineers in Evansville, Indiana reflect a starting pay that can be somewhat modest compared to the median. New graduates looking for their first roles may encounter positions offering salaries around $66,648, which is below the city median of $90,212. While this initial income might seem less appealing, there is potential for significant growth in the early years of one’s career. With additional experience, the earning potential can increase to about $75,371 at the 25th percentile, and it can move toward the median as engineers gain expertise. Currently, Evansville represents a promising job market for newcomers, particularly given the ongoing investments in infrastructure driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Career Earnings Timeline in Evansville
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Evansville
Entry-level civil engineers in Evansville, IN typically start between $66,648 and $75,371 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $68,721 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $90,212 — 12.83% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Indiana of $55,000 represents just 82.52% of the starting civil engineer pay ($66,648/year) in Evansville. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover ABET-accredited undergraduate civil engineering programs at public and private universities. Licensure (FE after graduation, PE after 4 years experience) adds exam fees. Many engineers pursue master's degrees (MS or MEng).
CE, PE Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Evansville
- 1Research the Evansville market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $66,648 to $75,371, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the civil engineering field — employers in IN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Evansville, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Evansville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Evansville's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Civil Engineer Compensation Range
The civil engineer wage spread in Evansville is $68,721 ( 103.11%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $66,648, experienced hygienists can earn up to $135,369.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,080
2025 BLS Actual
$64,940
2026 Current Est.
$66,648
2019–2027 Growth
+26.5%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Evansville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,510 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,648 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,401 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Evansville, IN grew 20.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $54,080 in 2019 to $64,940 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $68,401. New graduates entering the Evansville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Evansville 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.
Starting Your civil engineering Career in Evansville
Employers in Evansville looking to hire new graduates include large consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, which offer structured pathways for early-career engineers through their Engineer-in-Training (EIT) programs. These firms typically provide hands-on training that supports professional growth. State and federal agencies like the Indiana Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also present stable opportunities with pension benefits, aligning well with the interests of new grads. Moreover, construction companies like Bechtel and Fluor seek field engineering recruits willing to handle real-world projects while smaller firms can provide faster opportunities for project ownership. Aspiring engineers with an ABET-accredited bachelor's degree, who pass the FE exam to earn their EIT designation, can best position themselves for higher pay and advancement. In the first few years, it's realistic for new civil engineers to expect salary growth that mirrors the local market’s demand for skilled professionals amid expanding infrastructure initiatives. These factors together make for a vibrant entry into the field for those beginning their careers in civil engineering in IN.
More salary data for Evansville, IN:
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
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new civil engineering graduates. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Evansville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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