Engineering Indianapolis, IN Pop. 887,642

Civil Engineer Salary in Indianapolis, Indiana

The median civil engineer salary in Indianapolis, IN is $83,644 per year, which is 7% below the national median and 3.3% above the Indiana state average.

City Median
$83,644
vs State Avg
+$2,698
vs National
$-6,296
Cost of Living
93%

Civil Engineer Pay in Indianapolis: What to Expect (2026)

Indianapolis offers a median civil engineer salary of $83,644, which is $2,698 above the Indiana state average of $80,946. Compared to the national median of $89,940, Indianapolis pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Indianapolis's cost of living is 93% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for civil engineers in Indianapolis spans from $56,172 at the 10th percentile to $128,898 at the 90th percentile — a $72,726 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $57,660, while senior civil engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $120,900. As a major metro area with a population of 887,642, Indianapolis typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Civil Engineer Salary in Indianapolis by Experience

In Indianapolis, an entry-level civil engineer earns around $57,660, while experienced professionals earn up to $120,900 per year. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$57,660
$-4,340 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$83,700
$-6,300 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$120,900
$-9,100 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Indianapolis, IN

Percentile Indianapolis
10th Percentile $56,172
25th Percentile $68,076
Median (50th) $83,644
75th Percentile $106,020
90th Percentile $128,898

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Indiana Cities

Carmel, IN
$94,437
Pop. 99,757
Fort Wayne, IN
$76,449
Pop. 263,886
Evansville, IN
$75,550
Pop. 117,429
South Bend, IN
$74,650
Pop. 103,453

How to Become a Civil Engineer in Indianapolis

Education

Most civil engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Indianapolis and the surrounding Indiana area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

AutoCADStructural AnalysisProject ManagementGISConstruction ManagementPE License

Job Outlook

Nationally, civil engineer employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Indianapolis may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Civil Engineer Jobs in Indianapolis

Browse open civil engineer positions in Indianapolis, IN:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Engineer Salary in Indianapolis

How much does a Civil Engineer make in Indianapolis, IN? ▼
The median civil engineer salary in Indianapolis, Indiana is $83,644 per year, which is 7% below the national median of $89,940. Salaries range from $56,172 (10th percentile) to $128,898 (90th percentile).
How much does a Civil Engineer make per hour in Indianapolis? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $83,644, a civil engineer in Indianapolis earns approximately $40 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Indianapolis compare to the Indiana state average for civil engineer pay? ▼
Indianapolis's median civil engineer salary of $83,644 is 3.3% above the Indiana state average of $80,946. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Indianapolis, IN? ▼
Indianapolis has a cost of living index of 93% compared to the national average. This means a civil engineer salary of $83,644 in Indianapolis has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a civil engineer in Indianapolis? ▼
Most civil engineer positions in Indianapolis require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include AutoCAD, Structural Analysis, Project Management, GIS. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.