EngineeringUpdated Q1 2026

Controls Engineer Salary
in Indianapolis, IN

Design automated control systems for manufacturing, industrial, and process equipment. Median salary in Indianapolis: $99K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$99K
per year
Take-home: $66K

Salary range in Indianapolis

Entry level (25th)$74,000
Median (50th)$99,000
Senior (75th)$127,000
Top earner (90th)$160,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Indianapolis, Indiana. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →

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What the numbers say for Indianapolis

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.

5% discount vs national median

Controls Engineers in Indianapolis earn approximately 5% lower than the US national median for this role — a $5,000 discount on annual base salary. Indianapolis's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 88 (US avg = 100).

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Indianapolis's cost-of-living index (88), the median Controls Engineer salary buys the equivalent of $112,500 in a US-average-cost city. That's $8,500 more purchasing power than the national median — a meaningful real-wage advantage.

Key facts for Indianapolis

Median salary
$99K
annual
Take-home pay
$66K
after fed/state tax
COL index
88
100 = US avg
State income tax
3.23%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,150
per month
YoY growth
+4%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Indianapolis Controls Engineer to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $99K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Indianapolis

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Controls Engineer salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$83K$90K$98K$105K$112K201920212023202520272029
2026
$101K
projected
2027
$104K
projected
2028
$107K
projected
2029
$109K
projected
2030
$112K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$99,000+$0
2028 projected$99,000+$0
2029 projected$99,000+$0
2030 projected$99,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Controls Engineer Salary in Indianapolis, Indiana: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Controls Engineer salary in Indianapolis, IN is $99,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Indianapolis–IN metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Controls Engineer in Indianapolis

Entry-level Controls Engineers in Indianapolis with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $74,000 and $99,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $99,000 to $127,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $127,000 to $160,000 or more.

Cost of living in Indianapolis for Controls Engineers

Indianapolis has a cost of living index of 88 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 12% further in Indianapolis than the national average. Indiana has a 3.23% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Controls Engineer

Bachelor's in EE or ME. 25% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Controls Engineer salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Indianapolis (current)$99K88
Fort Wayne$83K80
Evansville$81K78
South Bend$85K82