Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Hollywood, FL: $70,268 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Hollywood, FL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $70,268 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Hollywood's local price level (BEA RPP 100.8 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $69,710 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($100,505) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The starting civil engineer salary in Hollywood, FL, for 2026 reflects a promising opportunity for new graduates entering the workforce. With entry-level positions typically beginning at around $70,268, new civil engineers can expect to gradually ascend the salary spectrum as their experience grows. Given that the city’s median annual salary for civil engineers is projected at $100,505, there is a significant gap between what recent graduates can expect and the higher earnings achievable with experience. The pathway from entry-level roles to a more competitive salary is clear, as young professionals can anticipate moving from the 10th percentile to the 25th percentile, reaching $80,852, within the first few years. With ongoing infrastructure investment in Florida fueled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Hollywood stands out as a favorable market for new graduates, opening up numerous potential career paths.
About the Hollywood Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Hollywood
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 Hollywood
Entry-level civil engineers in Hollywood, FL typically start between $70,268 and $80,852 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $85,514 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $100,505 — 2.89% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Florida of $48,000 represents just 68.31% of the starting civil engineer pay ($70,268/year) in Hollywood. 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 Hollywood
- 1Research the Hollywood market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $70,268 to $80,852, 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 Hollywood, 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 Hollywood for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Hollywood'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 Hollywood is $85,514 ( 121.70%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $70,268, experienced hygienists can earn up to $155,782.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$55,564
2025 BLS Actual
$68,467
2026 Current Est.
$70,268
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Hollywood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,564 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,347 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,751 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,243 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,836 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,467 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,268 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,116 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Hollywood, FL grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $55,564 in 2019 to $68,467 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $72,116. New graduates entering the Hollywood job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hollywood 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 Hollywood
Exploring the employment landscape reveals a variety of firms in Hollywood actively seeking to hire entry-level civil engineers. Major consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP are noteworthy employers, offering structured training programs and pathways toward obtaining the Professional Engineer (PE) license. Alternatively, government entities like state DOTs and the US Army Corps of Engineers provide stable career options with benefits such as pensions. Construction firms, including Bechtel and Fluor, are also vital players, focusing on field engineering roles that help build practical experience. To maximize earning potential, new graduates should aim for credentials like the FE exam to achieve their Engineer in Training (EIT) designation and ultimately the PE license, which is essential for advancing to senior roles. Realistically, salaries could grow significantly within the first three years due to Florida's robust infrastructure demands and the competitive nature of the civil engineering market, where obtaining a PE license becomes a key differentiator for future opportunities.
More salary data for Hollywood, 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 Hollywood. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Hollywood 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