Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Kaneohe, HI: $85,941 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Kaneohe, HI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $85,941 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Kaneohe's local price level (BEA RPP 119.3 — 19% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $72,038 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($122,689) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the civil engineering field in Kaneohe, Hawaii, can expect a starting civil engineer salary of around $85,941, which falls on the lower end of the salary spectrum. This represents a significant gap from the overall median salary of $122,689 for civil engineers in Kaneohe. However, there is a clear growth trajectory for entry-level professionals, with potential earnings increasing to approximately $98,065 within the first few years as they gain experience and improve their skills. The favorable conditions in Kaneohe's job market make it a promising location for new civil engineers, especially considering Hawaii's specialized needs in infrastructure due to its unique geography and development challenges.
About the Kaneohe Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Kaneohe
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 Kaneohe
Entry-level civil engineers in Kaneohe, HI typically start between $85,941 and $98,065 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $103,783 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $122,689 — 18.55% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Hawaii of $68,000 represents just 79.12% of the starting civil engineer pay ($85,941/year) in Kaneohe. 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 Kaneohe
- 1Research the Kaneohe market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $85,941 to $98,065, 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 HI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Kaneohe, 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 Kaneohe for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Factor in Kaneohe's above-average cost of living (index: 119.3) when evaluating offers — a slightly lower salary in a nearby affordable area may provide better purchasing power.
Civil Engineer Compensation Range
The civil engineer wage spread in Kaneohe is $103,783 ( 120.76%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $85,941, experienced hygienists can earn up to $189,724.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$67,958
2025 BLS Actual
$83,739
2026 Current Est.
$85,941
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Kaneohe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,958 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,915 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,302 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,904 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,579 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,731 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,739 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,941 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,202 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Kaneohe, HI grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $67,958 in 2019 to $83,739 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $88,202. New graduates entering the Kaneohe job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kaneohe 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 Kaneohe
Kaneohe's job landscape offers various opportunities for new grads, with prominent employers like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP actively bringing aboard entry-level civil engineers. These large consulting firms typically provide structured training programs, which are vital for early-career professionals seeking to obtain their Professional Engineer (PE) licenses. Additionally, state and federal agencies, such as the US Army Corps of Engineers, present stable employment avenues with long-term career benefits, including pensions. Many candidates enhance their starting salaries by obtaining credentials like the Engineer-in-Training (EIT) designation through successful completion of the FE exam. As the demand for infrastructure projects increases due to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, new graduates can realistically anticipate a steady salary growth in their first few years in Kaneohe, positioning themselves well for advancement and specialization in this essential field.
More salary data for Kaneohe, HI:
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 Kaneohe. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kaneohe 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