Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Plainfield, IN: $45.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Plainfield, IN runs $45.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $95,243 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Plainfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,150 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in Plainfield, Indiana, can expect a median hourly pay of $45.79, which is approximately 7.97% lower than the national median of $49.76. This hourly wage is relevant for both part-time professionals and those working on a per-diem basis, often found in settings such as consulting firms, construction sites, and governmental agencies. For part-time civil engineers working three days a week, this hourly rate translates into a significant but reduced income compared to full-time positions, allowing them to balance work with other commitments. With entry-level positions starting around $31.46 per hour and top earners reaching up to $70.30 per hour, there is ample opportunity for career growth and specialization in various sectors of civil engineering within Plainfield.
About the Plainfield 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) | $31.46 | $251.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.06 | $304.44 |
| Median (P50) | $45.79 | $366.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57.23 | $457.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70.30 | $562.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Plainfield
Based on $45.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.79/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Plainfield, IN can expect to earn approximately $95,250 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,952. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Plainfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Plainfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,831.74 | $7,938 | $95,250 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,099.04 | $4,763 | $57,150 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $732.70 | $3,175 | $38,100 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Plainfield) | $45.79 |
| 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 Plainfield, IN earn a median of $95,243 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.97% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 1.20% below the Indiana state average of $96,399.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.79/hr = $57,150/year (purchasing power: $62,596).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $95,250/year (purchasing power: $104,327).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Plainfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.80/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.00/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Plainfield grew 15.8% from $38.52/hr (2019) to $44.62/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.00/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 Plainfield 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 Plainfield
When examining the earning potential for part-time civil engineers in Plainfield working 24 hours a week, their annual income would significantly differ from that of full-time professionals. Those earning per diem or contracting roles can bill rates ranging from $100 to $180 per hour, and experienced professionals in niche areas may command even higher fees, particularly for advisory roles. Various employer types, from large engineering consulting firms to state DOTs and private developers, affect hourly rates considerably. While some civil engineers may opt for higher hourly rates that lack benefits, many are drawn to positions that offer stability and healthcare, reflecting a common trade-off in this field. Professionals may benefit from negotiation tactics specific to their circumstances, such as emphasizing their engineering licensure or unique expertise when discussing pay rates.
More salary data for Plainfield, 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 Plainfield. 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 Plainfield 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