Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Indianapolis, IN: $50.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Indianapolis, IN runs $50.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,508 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Indianapolis's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.7, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,709 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Civil engineers in Indianapolis can expect an hourly median pay of $50.25, which is slightly above the national hourly median of $49.76. This pay structure benefits both full-time and part-time professionals in a variety of settings, from consulting firm offices equipped with advanced CAD software to field offices on construction sites. For those working three days a week, this rate translates well into a manageable income while still allowing flexibility. Entry-level engineers may earn around $35.22 per hour, while top earners can bring in as much as $77.05, reflecting the wide range of experience and responsibility levels within the profession. These figures are drawn from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.22 | $281.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.23 | $313.80 |
| Median (P50) | $50.25 | $401.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.90 | $495.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77.05 | $616.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Indianapolis
Based on $50.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.25/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Indianapolis, IN can expect to earn approximately $104,515 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,297. With a cost-of-living index of 95.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Indianapolis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Indianapolis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,009.91 | $8,710 | $104,515 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,205.94 | $5,226 | $62,709 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $803.96 | $3,484 | $41,806 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Indianapolis) | $50.25 |
| 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 Indianapolis, IN earn a median of $104,508 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.98% higher than the national median of $103,492 and 8.40% above the Indiana state average of $96,410.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.25/hr = $62,709/year (purchasing power: $65,529).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,515/year (purchasing power: $109,216).
CoL index: 95.696 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Indianapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.40/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Indianapolis grew 28.6% from $38.07/hr (2019) to $48.96/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.57/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 Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis
When considering part-time roles, a civil engineer working 24 hours a week could yield an annual income that reflects their commitment without the full-time demands, allowing for better work-life balance. On the per diem front, civil engineers operating as independent contractors often command higher rates, billing anywhere from $100 to $180 per hour, with experts in niche fields potentially earning $250 to $500 per hour. In Indianapolis, the type of employer significantly influences pay; engineering consulting firms and large construction companies like Bechtel or Kiewit offer varying hourly rates depending on the project's complexity and the engineer's experience. While some professionals might forgo higher hourly rates for stable positions that include health insurance, savvy negotiations can lead to favorable terms, particularly considering local market conditions and demand influenced by infrastructure spending initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for Indianapolis, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for civil engineers in Indianapolis in 2026?
How much do part-time civil engineers make in Indianapolis?
Are civil engineers in Indianapolis paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time civil engineer make per year in Indianapolis?
Do civil engineers earn more per hour working part-time in Indianapolis?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Indiana
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 Indianapolis. 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