Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Terre Haute, IN: $62,112 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Terre Haute, IN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $62,112 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Terre Haute's local price level (BEA RPP 87.8 — 12% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $70,745 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($96,380) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Entering the civil engineering workforce in Terre Haute, Indiana, presents fresh graduates with numerous opportunities. With a projected entry-level civil engineer salary in Terre Haute starting at $62,112 in 2026, new entrants to the field must set realistic expectations for their first job. This starting figure is notably lower than the median annual salary of $96,380 for civil engineers in the area, highlighting a significant gap for those beginning their careers. However, over the first three to five years of professional experience, early-career engineers can anticipate growth to the 25th percentile, which stands at $77,260. Given the current economic climate and increasing infrastructure spending influenced by initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Terre Haute remains a promising market for new graduates, offering various avenues for skill development and advancement.
Career Earnings Timeline in Terre Haute
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 Terre Haute
Entry-level civil engineers in Terre Haute, IN typically start between $62,112 and $77,260 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $67,181 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $96,380 — 6.87% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Indiana of $55,000 represents just 88.55% of the starting civil engineer pay ($62,112/year) in Terre Haute. 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 Terre Haute
- 1Research the Terre Haute market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $62,112 to $77,260, 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 Terre Haute, 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 Terre Haute for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Terre Haute'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 Terre Haute is $67,181 ( 108.16%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $62,112, experienced hygienists can earn up to $129,293.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$49,115
2025 BLS Actual
$60,520
2026 Current Est.
$62,112
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Terre Haute (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,115 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,807 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,220 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,112 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,745 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Terre Haute, IN grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $49,115 in 2019 to $60,520 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $63,745. New graduates entering the Terre Haute job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Terre Haute 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 Terre Haute
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In Terre Haute, employers looking for entry-level civil engineers include a mix of consulting firms, government agencies, and construction companies. Major consulting firms like AECOM, Jacobs, WSP, and Kimley-Horn provide structured training programs and pathways to earn the Professional Engineer (PE) license, which can boost starting pay significantly in Indiana. State departments of transportation and federal agencies, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, also recruit new graduates, offering stable career tracks with benefits, including pensions. Small engineering firms often provide more hands-on experience early in a career but may lack formal training programs. To enhance starting salaries and career prospects, securing a degree from an ABET-accredited program and passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam to obtain EIT status are critical steps. Given the ongoing demand for civil engineering talent, especially in infrastructure sectors, new graduates can realistically expect steady salary growth as they accumulate experience and credentials in the field.
More salary data for Terre Haute, 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 Terre Haute. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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