Civil Engineer Salary

Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Albany, GA: $58,130 (2026)

Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Albany, GA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $58,130 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Albany's local price level (BEA RPP 87.712% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $66,306 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($77,886) within a few years of clinical practice.

$58,130
Starting Salary
$27.95/hr
Starting Hourly
$58,130
Entry Level
$77,886
Career Median Target

Official BLS data · View source

Civil Engineer Entry Level Salary in Albany, GA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Albany, GA civil engineer entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Albany, Georgia, the starting civil engineer salary for new graduates in 2026 is projected at approximately $58,130. This entry-level wage falls significantly below the city median salary of $77,886, indicating a gap that many recent graduates will need to bridge as they gain experience. As they accumulate 3-5 years in the field, salaries can reach the P25 level of around $66,484, highlighting the potential for advancement. Given a growth trajectory of 2.63% per year expected in the civil engineering sector, Albany presents a growing opportunity for new graduates to establish their careers. With ongoing investments in infrastructure due to initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the job market for early-career engineers is relatively stable, making Albany a decent starting point for those entering the profession in 2026.

Career Earnings Timeline in Albany

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$58,130/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$66,484/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$77,886/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$103,903/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Albany

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for civil engineers in Albany. The median salary is $77,886, compared to the national median of $103,492.$52.3K$71.6K$90.9K$110.2K$129.5K$58.1K10th Pctl$66.5K25th Pctl$77.9KMedian$103.9K75th Pctl$123.4K90th PctlUS Median$103.5K

Entry-level civil engineers in Albany, GA typically start between $58,130 and $66,484 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $65,221 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $77,88624.74% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of civil engineer pay in the Albany metro area.

Return on Investment

$55,000
Avg GA Program Cost
$58,130
Starting Salary
94.62%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average civil engineering program cost in Georgia of $55,000 represents just 94.62% of the starting civil engineer pay ($58,130/year) in Albany. 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 Albany

  • 1Research the Albany market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $58,130 to $66,484, 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 GA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Albany, 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 Albany for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Albany's below-average 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 Albany is $65,221 ( 112.20%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $58,130, experienced hygienists can earn up to $123,351.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$53,030

2025 BLS Actual

$56,640

2026 Current Est.

$58,130

2019–2027 Growth

+12.5%

Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Albany (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for civil engineers in Albany. Baseline $53,030 in 2025, projected to $59,658 by 2027.$47.0K$50.7K$54.4K$58.1K$61.8K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$53.0K$52.5K$51.7K$49.1K$55.4K$54.9K$56.6K$58.1K$59.7K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$53,030Actual
2020$52,460Actual
2021$51,680Actual
2022$49,120Actual
2023$55,400Actual
2024$54,923Actual
2025$56,640Actual
2026(current)$58,130Estimated
2027$59,658Projected

Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Albany, GA grew 6.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,030 in 2019 to $56,640 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $59,658. New graduates entering the Albany job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albany metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Albany

Several employers stand out in Albany's civil engineering market, especially for recent graduates eager to kick-start their careers. Large consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, WSP, and Kimley-Horn are known to actively recruit entry-level engineers, creating structured pipelines for Professional Engineer (PE) training. These firms typically offer lucrative projects and specialized training, enhancing long-term job prospects. State departments of transportation and federal agencies, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, provide distinct career paths with benefits like pensions and government stability. Construction companies, including Bechtel and Fluor, often hire entry-level engineers for field-based roles that offer immediate project involvement but may lack extensive training frameworks. To improve starting pay in Georgia, obtaining an ABET-accredited bachelor's degree, passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, and securing EIT certification are essential. For career advancement and higher salary potentials, pursuing continuous education, obtaining the PE license, and possibly earning additional credentials like SE or LEED AP can be beneficial, especially as the industry expands in response to infrastructure spending. Realistic salary growth in the first few years typically aligns with a steady progression toward more senior roles, particularly as the PE designation becomes a gatekeeping credential in this competitive job market.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for civil engineers in Albany in 2026?

Entry-level civil engineers in Albany start at approximately $58,130/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.63% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $27.95/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do civil engineer salaries grow in Albany?

Most civil engineers in Albany progress from the entry-level salary of $58,130 to the area median of $77,886 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $123,351 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is civil engineering school worth it in Albany?

With a starting salary of $58,130/year in Albany and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new civil engineers recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new civil engineers make right out of school in Albany?

New civil engineering graduates in Albany typically start near the 10th percentile at $58,130/year, or approximately $27.95/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a civil engineer in Georgia?

To become a licensed civil engineer in Georgia, you typically need bachelor's degree in civil engineering from an abet-accredited program (4 years). master's (msce) common for specialty practice or research. professional engineer (pe) license required for engineers who sign off on public projects: pass the fundamentals of engineering (fe) exam, accumulate 4 years of supervised experience, then pass the pe civil exam. state licensure board oversees pe credentialing., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Georgia, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some civil engineers pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

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JC

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.

Clinically reviewed by Aisha Patel, Ph.D.Data verified by Carlos Ramirez, M.S.

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 Albany. 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

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