Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Rome, GA: $57,368 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Rome, GA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $57,368 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Rome's local price level (BEA RPP 93.1 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $61,620 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($80,309) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Entering the workforce as a new graduate civil engineer in Rome, Georgia, typically starts with a challenging yet rewarding salary landscape. In 2026, the entry-level pay for this role is projected at $57,368, which serves as a baseline for recent graduates entering the field. Compared to the city’s median annual salary of $80,309, new civil engineers face a notable gap that highlights the potential for growth as they gain experience. Over the first few years, many can expect to advance their earnings, moving from the 10th percentile starting salary to around $65,013 as they settle into their roles. Considering Rome’s current job market, with steady demand for infrastructure development driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, it presents a favorable environment for new hires seeking opportunities to establish their careers.
About the Rome Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Rome
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 Rome
Entry-level civil engineers in Rome, GA typically start between $57,368 and $65,013 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $67,111 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $80,309 — 22.4% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Georgia of $55,000 represents just 95.87% of the starting civil engineer pay ($57,368/year) in Rome. 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 Rome
- 1Research the Rome market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $57,368 to $65,013, 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 Rome, 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 Rome for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Rome'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 Rome is $67,111 ( 116.98%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $57,368, experienced hygienists can earn up to $124,479.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,364
2025 BLS Actual
$55,898
2026 Current Est.
$57,368
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Rome (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,364 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,003 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,599 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,786 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,946 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,898 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,368 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,877 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Rome, GA grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $45,364 in 2019 to $55,898 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $58,877. New graduates entering the Rome job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rome 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 Rome
A range of employers in Rome are actively seeking recent civil engineering graduates, creating a variety of career pathways. Large consulting firms, such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, are known for hiring entry-level engineers and providing structured training programs to support professional growth. For those inclined towards public service, state departments of transportation and federal agencies like USACE offer stable government roles that often include pensions. Construction companies, including Bechtel and Fluor, also hire new engineers, particularly for field positions, allowing them to gain hands-on experience quickly. To maximize starting pay in GA, aspiring engineers should focus on obtaining their Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) designation during their senior year, progressing towards the Professional Engineer (PE) license after four years of experience. As infrastructure spending continues to stimulate demand, the first few years are crucial for establishing a solid career foundation, with potential salary growth aligning with additional credentials and experience in the field.
More salary data for Rome, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for civil engineers in Rome in 2026?
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Is civil engineering school worth it in Rome?
What do new civil engineers make right out of school in Rome?
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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 Rome. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Rome 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