Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Crestview, FL: $66,781 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Crestview, FL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $66,781 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Crestview's local price level (BEA RPP 97.0 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $68,824 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($104,498) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Recent estimates indicate that graduates entering the civil engineering field in Crestview, FL, can expect a starting civil engineer salary of around $66,781 in 2026. This figure significantly trails the city's median annual salary of $104,498, reflecting the growth potential inherent in early career stages. For new graduates, the first few years may be marked by a gradual increase in pay, with chances to elevate earnings from the 10th percentile closer to the 25th percentile at $80,431 within three to five years. Crestview currently presents a favorable environment for entry-level positions, benefiting from state investments in infrastructure and a growing demand for civil engineering professionals.
Career Earnings Timeline in Crestview
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 Crestview
Entry-level civil engineers in Crestview, FL typically start between $66,781 and $80,431 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $107,321 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $104,498 — 0.97% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Florida of $48,000 represents just 71.88% of the starting civil engineer pay ($66,781/year) in Crestview. 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 Crestview
- 1Research the Crestview market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $66,781 to $80,431, 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 FL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Crestview, 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 Crestview for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Crestview'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 Crestview is $107,321 ( 160.71%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $66,781, experienced hygienists can earn up to $174,102.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,910
2025 BLS Actual
$65,070
2026 Current Est.
$66,781
2019–2027 Growth
+27.1%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Crestview (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,781 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,538 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Crestview, FL grew 20.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,910 in 2019 to $65,070 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $68,538. New graduates entering the Crestview job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Crestview 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 Crestview
Job seekers in Crestview can find opportunities with prominent employers that are looking for fresh talent. Large consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP offer structured training programs for new hires, ideal for those working towards their Professional Engineer (PE) licensure. Meanwhile, state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, provide stable career paths with pensions. Candidates who hold an ABET-accredited degree and successfully pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam can position themselves favorably for career advancement and increased pay. Over the first few years, it's reasonable to anticipate growth in compensation that correlates with gained experience and credentials, particularly because the demand driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law augments prospects in the sector. As new engineers build their skills and networks in Crestview, their entry-level pay can evolve significantly towards the higher end of the spectrum, reflecting their contributions and growing expertise.
More salary data for Crestview, FL:
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 Crestview. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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