Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Longmont, CO: $68,116 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Longmont, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $68,116 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Longmont's local price level (BEA RPP 105.0 — 5% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $64,872 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($95,757) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the workforce, the entry-level civil engineer salary in Longmont, CO, is projected to start around $68,116 in 2026. While this figure may seem modest, it reflects a reasonable entry point for early-career engineers, especially when compared to the median annual salary of $95,757 for civil engineers in the area. Over the first three to five years, entry-level salaries can grow significantly, with the potential to reach $77,670 at the 25th percentile before approaching the median. Given the current demand in civil engineering driven by infrastructure projects spurred by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Longmont presents a promising market for new graduates looking to establish their careers.
About the Longmont Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Longmont
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 Longmont
Entry-level civil engineers in Longmont, CO typically start between $68,116 and $77,670 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $80,308 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $95,757 — 7.47% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Colorado of $68,000 represents just 99.83% of the starting civil engineer pay ($68,116/year) in Longmont. 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 Longmont
- 1Research the Longmont market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $68,116 to $77,670, 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 Longmont, 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 Longmont for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Longmont'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 Longmont is $80,308 ( 117.90%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $68,116, experienced hygienists can earn up to $148,424.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,862
2025 BLS Actual
$66,370
2026 Current Est.
$68,116
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Longmont (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,862 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,621 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,891 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,367 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,488 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,437 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,370 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,116 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,907 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Longmont, CO grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,862 in 2019 to $66,370 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $69,907. New graduates entering the Longmont job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Longmont 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 Longmont
In this local job market, several employers are actively seeking new grads, including reputable consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, WSP, and Kimley-Horn, which often provide structured training programs for Engineer-in-Training (EIT) positions. Additionally, state departments of transportation and federal agencies present secure government career tracks, while construction companies like Bechtel and Fluor typically target field-engineering roles for fresh graduates. To enhance their starting pay in Colorado, candidates should focus on obtaining an ABET-accredited degree, passing the FE exam, and subsequently pursuing the PE license, as these credentials strongly influence career advancement. Given the ongoing infrastructure investments, there's a robust expectation for salary growth in the early years, reinforcing the importance of career planning and targeted credential attainment as new engineers navigate their initial professional landscape.
More salary data for Longmont, 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 Longmont. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Longmont 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