Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Oakland Park, FL: $68,347 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Oakland Park, FL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $68,347 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Oakland Park's local price level (BEA RPP 100.8 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $67,805 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($95,415) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the civil engineering field, the starting civil engineer salary in Oakland Park is projected at approximately $68,347 in 2026. This initial pay falls significantly below the city’s median salary of $95,415, highlighting the gap that early-career engineers must navigate. Over the first few years, individuals can expect to see their compensation grow as they gain experience, with entry-level professionals potentially earning around $77,381 by progressing to the 25th percentile. The expected annual growth rate for salaries in this profession is 2.63%, making Oakland Park a relatively promising market for new students coming out of ABET-accredited programs who are eager to begin their careers in civil engineering.
About the Oakland Park Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Oakland Park
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 Oakland Park
Entry-level civil engineers in Oakland Park, FL typically start between $68,347 and $77,381 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $79,547 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $95,415 — 7.8% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Florida of $48,000 represents just 70.23% of the starting civil engineer pay ($68,347/year) in Oakland Park. 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 Oakland Park
- 1Research the Oakland Park market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $68,347 to $77,381, 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 Oakland Park, 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 Oakland Park for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Oakland Park'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 Oakland Park is $79,547 ( 116.39%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $68,347, experienced hygienists can earn up to $147,894.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,046
2025 BLS Actual
$66,596
2026 Current Est.
$68,347
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Oakland Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,046 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,807 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,091 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,569 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,697 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,056 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,596 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,347 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,145 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Oakland Park, FL grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $54,046 in 2019 to $66,596 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $70,145. New graduates entering the Oakland Park job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oakland Park 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 Oakland Park
In terms of employment prospects, several key firms in Oakland Park actively recruit entry-level engineers. Large consulting firms like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP often look for new graduates to join structured training programs, which frequently offer pathways to obtain Professional Engineer (PE) licenses. State Departments of Transportation and federal agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) provide solid opportunities in government roles that typically include benefits such as pensions. Additionally, construction companies like Bechtel and Fluor seek field engineers, while small firms can provide faster project involvement, although they may not have the same level of structured mentorship. New graduates can also enhance their earning potential by taking the FE exam during their senior year, leading to the Engineer in Training (EIT) designation. This credential, along with continued education, positions candidates favorably in a market buoyed by increased infrastructure spending from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, creating a stable demand for civil engineering professionals.
More salary data for Oakland Park, 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 Oakland Park. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Oakland Park 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