Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in West Lafayette, IN: $42.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in West Lafayette, IN runs $42.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,275 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against West Lafayette's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,962 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In West Lafayette, Indiana, civil engineers earn a median hourly pay of $42.44, which is considerably lower than the national median of $49.76. This hourly rate reflects the local engineering market, providing an insight into the earning potential for both part-time and per-diem workers. At this wage, a civil engineer working three days a week can expect a substantial income while maintaining flexibility in their schedule, whether they're engaged in hands-on project management at construction sites, collaborating on designs in consulting firm offices, or performing remote evaluations of plans. The hourly wage can range from $30.42 for entry-level positions to $65.79 for top earners, reinforcing the idea that experience and expertise in specific civil engineering sectors can significantly impact earning potential, as estimated from annual salary data.
About the West Lafayette 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) | $30.42 | $243.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.43 | $275.46 |
| Median (P50) | $42.44 | $339.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.32 | $434.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.79 | $526.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in West Lafayette
Based on $42.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.44/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in West Lafayette, IN can expect to earn approximately $88,270 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,925. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in West Lafayette.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in West Lafayette
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,697.50 | $7,356 | $88,270 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,018.50 | $4,414 | $52,962 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $679.00 | $2,942 | $35,308 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (West Lafayette) | $42.44 |
| 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 West Lafayette, IN earn a median of $88,275 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.70% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 8.40% below the Indiana state average of $96,370.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.44/hr = $52,962/year (purchasing power: $58,009).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,270/year (purchasing power: $96,681).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in West Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in West Lafayette grew 15.8% from $35.70/hr (2019) to $41.35/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.55/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 West Lafayette 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 West Lafayette
Considering the dynamics of civil engineering hourly rates in West Lafayette, part-time engineers working 24 hours a week can expect to earn about $52,130 annually compared to full-time counterparts, who typically experience different financial implications. For per-diem civil engineers, billing rates can soar to between $100 and $180 per hour, with specialized roles, such as structural or forensic engineers working as expert witnesses, commanding fees from $250 to $500 per hour. Rates may vary widely based on the type of employer; engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs may offer varying compensation compared to larger construction companies or government agencies, which might provide benefits that complement potentially lower hourly rates. In negotiating salaries, prospective engineers in West Lafayette should emphasize not only their technical skills and certifications but also the changing landscape of infrastructure spending driven by new legislation, which is impacting job demand and compensation structures across the state. Tailoring negotiations to reflect the unique requirements of different employers can aid significantly in maximizing their civil engineer hourly rate IN.
More salary data for West Lafayette, 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 West Lafayette. 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 West Lafayette 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