Civil Engineer Salary in Fort Wayne, IN: $91,259 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Fort Wayne, IN earns a median $91,259/year (≈ $43.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Fort Wayne's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $98,582 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Wayne, Indiana, the projected civil engineer salary in 2026 is $91,259, reflecting a competitive position in the local job market compared to the national median of $103,492. The salary range for civil engineers in the area spans from $64,441 at the 10th percentile to approximately $134,917 at the 90th percentile. This data is derived from the official BLS OEWS surveys, which highlight the variability in compensation depending on the type of employer. While established engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs may offer higher pay, government positions through the Department of Transportation and local public works can provide stability and benefits that appeal to many professionals in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,441 | $30.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,808 | $36.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,259 | $43.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,351 | $51.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,917 | $64.86 |
Median Salary Position
11.82% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Wayne
In Fort Wayne, IN, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,476 (2026 est.). At $91,259, the local median is 11.82% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Wayne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Wayne Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Fort Wayne median: $91,259/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Wayne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $96,366 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -11.82% less |
Civil Engineers in Fort Wayne, IN earn a median of $91,259 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.82% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 5.30% below the Indiana state average of $96,366.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Wayne has a cost of living 7.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Wayne, IN has a cost-of-living index of 92.572 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $91,259 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,582 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.02% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,250
2025 BLS Actual
$88,920
2026 Current Est.
$91,259
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Fort Wayne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,350 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,100 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,259 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,659 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Wayne metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 24.8% from $71,250 (2019) to $88,920 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,659 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,409 (31.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Wayne 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $64,441 – $76,808 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,808 – $91,259 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,259 – $107,351 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,351 – $134,917 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Fort Wayne
The Fort Wayne job market currently employs around 250 civil engineers, which provides ample opportunities within the local community. Notably, the cost of living index stands at 92.572, indicating a relatively affordable environment that enhances purchasing power for working professionals. Engineering consulting firms often lead in pay, especially for roles that require advanced credentials such as the PE license. Factors affecting the disparity in civil engineer pay in Fort Wayne include specialization in areas like structural or geotechnical engineering, the tier of the employing firm, and the ongoing impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is driving increased investment in public infrastructure. To maximize salary potential, candidates should consider pursuing advanced certifications or transitioning into project management or technical expertise roles, where demand is surging.
More salary data for Fort Wayne, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $88,920 for civil engineersin the Fort Wayne metropolitan area. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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