Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in South Bend, IN: $47.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in South Bend, IN runs $47.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $98,710 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against South Bend's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.9, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,225 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In South Bend, civil engineers earn a median hourly rate of $47.46, which lags slightly behind the national median of $49.76. This hourly figure is particularly relevant for part-time professionals and per-diem workers who find opportunities in consulting firms, construction sites, and government agencies. Those working just three days a week could still expect a solid take-home pay, while per-diem civil engineers often operate within environments that require proficiency in CAD, AutoCAD, and Revit applications. The hourly pay scale ranges from $35.45 for entry-level positions to as high as $70.41 for experienced professionals, reflecting the competitiveness of the engineering job market in this Indiana city as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Civil Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.45 | $283.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.80 | $310.44 |
| Median (P50) | $47.46 | $379.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59.44 | $475.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70.41 | $563.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Bend
Based on $47.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.46/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Bend, IN can expect to earn approximately $98,709 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,947. With a cost-of-living index of 92.86 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Bend.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Bend
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,898.24 | $8,226 | $98,709 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,138.95 | $4,935 | $59,225 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $759.30 | $3,290 | $39,483 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (South Bend) | $47.46 |
| 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 South Bend, IN earn a median of $98,710 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.62% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 2.40% above the Indiana state average of $96,396.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.46/hr = $59,225/year (purchasing power: $63,780).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $98,709/year (purchasing power: $106,301).
CoL index: 92.858 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in South Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in South Bend grew 28.6% from $35.96/hr (2019) to $46.24/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.70/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 South Bend 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 South Bend
For a civil engineer working 24 hours a week in South Bend, the shift from full-time to part-time positions can significantly affect earnings, allowing for an annual income that may not fully reflect the benefits of consistent employment. In the realm of per-diem or agency positions, hourly billing rates can soar, with some professionals charging between $100 and $180, while select experts in specialties like structural engineering may bill as much as $250 to $500 per hour. Various employers in South Bend—including top engineering firms such as AECOM and Jacobs, as well as local public works departments—afford different compensation structures. Although some civil engineers may choose lower hourly rates for the security of benefits, others may prioritize higher pay without health coverage. For those negotiating salaries, understanding the local market dynamics and tailoring discussions based on employer type can lead to better outcomes in civil engineer hourly pay in South Bend, ensuring a strategic approach in a competitive field.
More salary data for South Bend, 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 South Bend. 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