Civil Engineer Salary in South Bend, IN: $98,710 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in South Bend, IN earns a median $98,710/year (≈ $47.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in South Bend's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.9), that paycheck buys what $106,302 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% above the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In South Bend, Indiana, the anticipated median annual salary for civil engineers in 2026 is projected to be $98,710. This figure reflects a competitive position within the broader national context, sitting slightly below the national median of $103,492. Salary ranges are expected to vary significantly, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $73,729 and experienced engineers capable of reaching up to $146,463. Official data based on 2025 BLS estimates demonstrates a robust local job market for civil engineers, with the ongoing demand likely linked to ongoing infrastructure projects stimulated by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. With well-established engineering firms and local public works departments vying for talent, South Bend serves as a promising landscape for professional advancement in civil engineering.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,729 | $35.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,708 | $38.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,710 | $47.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $123,628 | $59.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $146,463 | $70.41 |
Median Salary Position
4.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Bend
In South Bend, IN, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,734 (2026 est.). At $98,710, the local median is 4.62% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Bend: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Bend Civil Engineer Pay Compares
South Bend median: $98,710/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Bend Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $96,396 | +2.40% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -4.62% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Bend has a cost of living 7.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
South Bend, IN has a cost-of-living index of 92.858 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $98,710 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $106,302 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,800
2025 BLS Actual
$96,180
2026 Current Est.
$98,710
2019–2027 Growth
+35.4%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,800 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,180 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,710 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,306 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Bend metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 28.6% from $74,800 (2019) to $96,180 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,306 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,506 (35.44%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $73,729 – $80,708 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,708 – $98,710 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,710 – $123,628 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $123,628 – $146,463 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in South Bend
The local job market for civil engineers in South Bend comprises around 180 professionals, creating potential opportunities for newly licensed engineers to enter the workforce. The cost-of-living index in the region stands at 92.858, which is favorable compared to the national average, thus enhancing take-home pay. Among leading employers, prominent firms like AECOM and Jacobs continue to offer competitive compensation packages, often exceeding average rates for roles involving specialized expertise or project management responsibilities. The variation in salaries often stems from factors such as licensure (with PE credentials enabling access to higher salary tiers), specialization in areas like structural engineering, and differences between consulting firms and public sector employment. For aspiring civil engineers, obtaining a PE license and seeking roles within established, high-tier consulting firms can significantly boost earning potential in South Bend, IN.
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
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 $96,180 for civil engineersin the South Bend 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