Civil Engineer Hourly Pay in Zionsville, IN: $44.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a civil engineer working in Zionsville, IN runs $44.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $92,595 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Weighted against Zionsville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $55,562 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Zionsville, Indiana, the civil engineer hourly pay is projected to reach $44.52 in 2026, which is lower than the national median of $49.76. For civil engineers working part-time—such as three days a week—their earnings reflect a balance between work-life flexibility and income stability. This hourly rate allows for potential part-time earnings of approximately $34,224 annually for a 24-hour work week, with a broader hourly range from $30.97 at the entry level to as high as $69.00 for those reaching the top tiers of the profession. Positions typically involve a blend of office environments, including consulting firms equipped with leading software such as CAD and Revit, as well as field offices focused on active construction sites, local government departments, or remote inspections.
About the Zionsville 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) | $30.97 | $247.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.46 | $283.67 |
| Median (P50) | $44.52 | $356.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.81 | $454.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69.00 | $551.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Zionsville
Based on $44.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.52/hr, a civil engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Zionsville, IN can expect to earn approximately $92,603 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,425. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Zionsville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Zionsville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,780.84 | $7,717 | $92,603 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,068.50 | $4,630 | $55,562 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $712.33 | $3,087 | $37,041 |
Compare CE, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineer (Zionsville) | $44.52 |
| 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 Zionsville, IN earn a median of $92,595 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.53% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 3.90% below the Indiana state average of $96,353.
Civil Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.52/hr = $55,562/year (purchasing power: $60,857).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $92,603/year (purchasing power: $101,428).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Zionsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for civil engineers in Zionsville grew 15.8% from $37.45/hr (2019) to $43.38/hr (2025). At a 2.63% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.69/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 Zionsville 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 Zionsville
Part-time civil engineers may find themselves at a crossroads regarding income potential, especially compared to full-time colleagues. For those opting for per-diem opportunities, civil engineer pay in Zionsville can significantly increase; it's common for contract or agency engineers to bill $100 to $180 per hour, with specialized roles commanding even higher rates—experts in forensic engineering can secure $250 to $500 per hour. Given the diverse landscape of employers, from engineering consulting powerhouses like AECOM and Jacobs to local public works entities, hourly rates can vary substantially based on project demands and company resources. Some civil engineers choose lower hourly rates for the trade-off of benefits like healthcare, while others seek higher compensation without such perks. When negotiating pay, civil engineers in Zionsville should emphasize their credentials, like PE licensure, especially when engaging with firms aware of the competitive landscape created by infrastructure spending driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
More salary data for Zionsville, 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 Zionsville. 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 Zionsville 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