Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in East Chicago, IN: $44.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in East Chicago, IN runs $44.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $93,051 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against East Chicago's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $55,831 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the civil engineer hourly pay in East Chicago, Indiana, is projected to be $44.74, which reflects a gap when compared to the national hourly median of $49.76. This rate provides a solid foundation for both part-time employees and those working on a per-diem basis. Civil engineers in East Chicago can find themselves in various environments, from consulting firm offices equipped with advanced software like CAD, Revit, and AutoCAD to construction site field offices and government DOT settings. For entry-level professionals, hourly rates start at approximately $31.53, while seasoned practitioners can earn as much as $69.34 per hour, showing significant growth potential as one gains experience. These hourly estimates are derived from annual salary data, making them a vital guideline for those assessing their earning trajectory within the profession.
About the East Chicago Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.53 | $252.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.90 | $287.20 |
| Median (P50) | $44.74 | $357.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57.26 | $458.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69.34 | $554.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in East Chicago
Based on $44.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.74/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in East Chicago, IN can expect to earn approximately $93,052 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,684. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in East Chicago.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in East Chicago
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,789.46 | $7,754 | $93,052 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,073.67 | $4,653 | $55,831 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $715.78 | $3,102 | $37,221 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (East Chicago) | $44.74 |
| Mechanical Engineer (National Avg) | $48.61 |
| Electrical Engineer (National Avg) | $54.18 |
| Architect (National Avg) | $45.72 |
| Construction Manager (National Avg) | $51.87 |
Civil Engineers in East Chicago, IN earn a median of $93,051 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.09% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 3.50% below the Indiana state average of $96,425.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.74/hr = $55,831/year (purchasing power: $61,151).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $93,052/year (purchasing power: $101,919).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in East Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in East Chicago grew 15.8% from $37.63/hr (2019) to $43.59/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.91/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem civil engineers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the East Chicago 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.
Working as an Hourly Civil Engineer in East Chicago
Analyzing the earning potential for civil engineers working part-time in East Chicago reveals a nuanced financial picture. A civil engineer working three days a week, totaling about 24 hours, can expect to earn around $55,948 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts but still a considerable income for part-time work. Per-diem positions, often filled by licensed civil engineers, can command significantly higher hourly rates, typically ranging from $100 to $180, with forensic specialists or expert witnesses billing as much as $250 to $500 per hour. Rates can vary widely among different types of employers, such as engineering consulting firms like AECOM or Jacobs, which might offer more stability and benefits compared to project-based roles in construction companies or government agencies. Civil engineers in the area may face trade-offs regarding hourly pay versus health benefits; some may opt for less lucrative hourly wages in exchange for comprehensive healthcare coverage. When negotiating hourly pay in East Chicago, it’s essential to consider both the market rate and the value of employer-provided benefits, ensuring a balanced approach to career progression in a competitive environment shaped by initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for East Chicago, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for civil engineers in East Chicago. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for East Chicago is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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