Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Broomfield, CO: $68,089 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Broomfield, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $68,089 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Broomfield's local price level (BEA RPP 105.0 — 5% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $64,847 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($95,788) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Aspiring civil engineers can expect an entry-level salary in Broomfield, Colorado, starting around $68,089 in 2026. This figure reflects the lower end of the pay spectrum, with the median annual salary for civil engineers in the city projected at $95,788, illustrating a significant gap that new graduates must bridge as they gain experience. Over the first few years in the field, a new grad can realistically aim to see their earning potential grow incrementally through promotions and additional responsibilities, advancing from the 25th percentile salary of $77,732 as they accumulate practical experience. Given the current infrastructure investment climate driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Broomfield presents a solid market for recent graduates, offering a promising path to career advancement.
About the Broomfield Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Broomfield
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 Broomfield
Entry-level civil engineers in Broomfield, CO typically start between $68,089 and $77,732 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $80,382 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $95,788 — 7.44% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Colorado of $68,000 represents just 99.87% of the starting civil engineer pay ($68,089/year) in Broomfield. 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 Broomfield
- 1Research the Broomfield market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $68,089 to $77,732, 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 CO often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Broomfield, 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 Broomfield for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Broomfield'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 Broomfield is $80,382 ( 118.05%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $68,089, experienced hygienists can earn up to $148,471.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,841
2025 BLS Actual
$66,344
2026 Current Est.
$68,089
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Broomfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,841 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,868 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,344 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,463 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,406 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,344 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,089 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,880 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Broomfield, CO grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,841 in 2019 to $66,344 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $69,880. New graduates entering the Broomfield job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Broomfield 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 Broomfield
In Broomfield, several employers actively seek out new graduates in civil engineering, including large consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, WSP, and Kimley-Horn, which are known for their structured Professional Engineer (PE) training programs. Government roles with state Departments of Transportation and federal agencies like the US Army Corps of Engineers provide stable career tracks with pension benefits, while construction companies such as Bechtel and Fluor look for entry-level engineers for field projects. To enhance their starting civil engineer salary in Broomfield, candidates should prioritize obtaining an ABET-accredited bachelor's degree and aim to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, which leads to the Engineer-in-Training (EIT) designation. Finally, gaining a PE license will be crucial for ascending to senior roles, and certification options such as SE or LEED may further boost salaries. With steady demand for civil engineers fueled by public infrastructure initiatives, one can anticipate manageable salary growth during the initial years while establishing a solid career foundation within the local job market.
More salary data for Broomfield, CO:
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 Broomfield. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Broomfield 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