Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Kingman, AZ: $59,699 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Kingman, AZ job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $59,699 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Kingman's local price level (BEA RPP 98.5 — 1% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $60,608 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($80,912) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kingman, Arizona, new graduates entering the field of civil engineering can expect an entry-level salary around $59,699. This figure represents the lower range of starting salaries and serves as a realistic benchmark for those launching their careers in 2026. While the city’s median annual salary for civil engineers sits at $80,912, entry-level positions clearly show a gap indicative of the typical progression from initial roles to more seasoned positions. Early career growth can be promising, as salaries increase from the starting range up to $65,107 within the first few years, eventually aiming for the median as professionals gain experience and expertise. Given these projections, Kingman currently presents a viable market for new graduates, especially when considering the ongoing demand spurred by infrastructure spending.
About the Kingman Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Kingman
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kingman
Entry-level civil engineers in Kingman, AZ typically start between $59,699 and $65,107 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $65,715 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $80,912 — 21.82% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Arizona of $55,000 represents just 92.13% of the starting civil engineer pay ($59,699/year) in Kingman. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover ABET-accredited undergraduate civil engineering programs at public and private universities. Licensure (FE after graduation, PE after 4 years experience) adds exam fees. Many engineers pursue master's degrees (MS or MEng).
CE, PE Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Kingman
- 1Research the Kingman market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $59,699 to $65,107, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the civil engineering field — employers in AZ often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Kingman, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Kingman for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Kingman's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Civil Engineer Compensation Range
The civil engineer wage spread in Kingman is $65,715 ( 110.08%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $59,699, experienced hygienists can earn up to $125,414.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,207
2025 BLS Actual
$58,169
2026 Current Est.
$59,699
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Kingman (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,207 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,872 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,614 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,032 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,890 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,394 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,169 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,699 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,269 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Kingman, AZ grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $47,207 in 2019 to $58,169 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $61,269. New graduates entering the Kingman job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kingman 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.
Starting Your civil engineering Career in Kingman
Employers in Kingman actively seek to fill entry-level civil engineering roles across various sectors. Major consulting firms like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP are known to recruit recent graduates, offering structured training programs that help new engineers obtain their Professional Engineer (PE) license. State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and federal agencies such as the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) provide additional stable career paths, often bolstered by appealing benefits like pensions. For graduates, gaining additional credentials—such as passing the FE exam for the Engineer in Training (EIT) designation—can significantly enhance starting civil engineer pay in AZ. As demand from infrastructure projects accelerates, aspiring engineers should recognize that obtaining a PE can unlock senior positions, making early career development and strategic credentialing essential for long-term success and realistic salary growth in the early years. The presence of small firms in Kingman also presents options for quicker project ownership, although they may lack the training structures of larger companies.
More salary data for Kingman, AZ:
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new civil engineering graduates. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Kingman. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kingman 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