Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Elkhart, IN: $49.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Elkhart, IN runs $49.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,942 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Elkhart's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,159 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Elkhart, Indiana, the civil engineer hourly pay stands at a median of $49.01, slightly below the national average of $49.76 per hour. This rate positions local civil engineers favorably within the context of part-time work arrangements or per-diem contracts. For example, a civil engineer working three days a week could expect to earn approximately $49,577 annually if they maintain a consistent schedule of 24 hours per week. This flexibility is particularly evident in roles located within consulting firms, construction site offices, or governmental agencies where CAD, Revit, and AutoCAD are frequently utilized. The hourly rate can vary significantly, ranging from $35.85 for entry-level positions to $74.83 for those at the top of the earning spectrum, illustrating the diverse opportunities available within this profession.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.85 | $286.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.10 | $304.77 |
| Median (P50) | $49.01 | $392.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59.93 | $479.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74.83 | $598.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elkhart
Based on $49.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.01/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elkhart, IN can expect to earn approximately $101,932 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,807. With a cost-of-living index of 90.33 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elkhart.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elkhart
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,960.23 | $8,494 | $101,932 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,176.14 | $5,097 | $61,159 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $784.09 | $3,398 | $40,773 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Elkhart) | $49.01 |
| 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 Elkhart, IN earn a median of $101,942 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.50% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 5.80% above the Indiana state average of $96,354.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.01/hr = $61,159/year (purchasing power: $67,710).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,932/year (purchasing power: $112,850).
CoL index: 90.325 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.01/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Elkhart (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Elkhart grew 30.0% from $36.74/hr (2019) to $47.75/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.29/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 Elkhart 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 Elkhart
Looking at part-time civil engineers earning hourly rates reveals significant variation in potential annual earnings when working less than full-time. A 3-day workweek translates to about $50,000 per year for those positioned in Elkhart. Per-diem arrangements for licensed civil engineers often see billing rates spanning $100 to $180 an hour, with specialized professionals such as structural or forensic engineers commanding even higher fees—ranging from $250 to $500 per hour. Employment types also affect hourly rates; engineering consulting firms and construction companies may offer different earning potentials compared to governmental entities or specialty consulting. While some engineers may choose positions with lower hourly rates for the added benefit of health insurance, others might prioritize higher pay without benefits. Negotiating terms can significantly impact overall compensation, and professionals in Elkhart are encouraged to identify their needs and market worth effectively to secure favorable agreements.
More salary data for Elkhart, 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 Elkhart. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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