Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Rexburg, ID: $68,886 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Rexburg, ID job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $68,886 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Rexburg's local price level (BEA RPP 95.3 — 5% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $72,283 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($99,088) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the civil engineering field in Rexburg, Idaho, the starting civil engineer salary offers a compelling landscape. With entry-level positions projected to pay around $68,886, fresh graduates should set realistic expectations regarding their initial compensation, especially when compared to the overall median salary for the area, which is $99,088. This discrepancy of nearly $30,000 indicates that while positions are available and potentially lucrative in the long term, initial pay may be lower. However, the growth trajectory from the entry-level benchmark to the median salary over the first few years looks promising, as most early-career professionals can anticipate salary growth leading to the P25 at approximately $78,815 within a few years. Given the city's cost of living index of 95.3, which is below the national average, Rexburg remains an attractive market for new graduates to launch their careers, particularly with ongoing infrastructure investments.
About the Rexburg Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Rexburg
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 Rexburg
Entry-level civil engineers in Rexburg, ID typically start between $68,886 and $78,815 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $83,481 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $99,088 — 4.26% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Idaho of $45,000 represents just 65.33% of the starting civil engineer pay ($68,886/year) in Rexburg. 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 Rexburg
- 1Research the Rexburg market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $68,886 to $78,815, 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 ID often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Rexburg, 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 Rexburg for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Rexburg'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 Rexburg is $83,481 ( 121.19%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $68,886, experienced hygienists can earn up to $152,367.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,472
2025 BLS Actual
$67,121
2026 Current Est.
$68,886
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Rexburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,472 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,239 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,557 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,039 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,183 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,561 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,121 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,886 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,698 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Rexburg, ID grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $54,472 in 2019 to $67,121 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $70,698. New graduates entering the Rexburg job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rexburg 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 Rexburg
In Rexburg, several employers actively recruit new professionals, providing opportunities that can greatly enhance career growth. Major consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs often hire recent graduates and offer structured training programs, while state and federal agencies, such as the Idaho Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, present valuable government career tracks complete with pension plans. Construction firms like Bechtel and Fluor also seek entry-level engineers, albeit with a focus on field engineering roles. To maximize their earning potential, new graduates should consider pursuing certifications such as the FE exam toward their EIT designation and plan their progression to gain their PE license. The current emphasis on infrastructure spending spurred by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law presents ample job opportunities, and candidates with proactive career strategies will find that initial entry-level pay can grow substantially over the first few years, especially for those engaged in continuous learning and professional development through avenues like NSPE and ABET accreditation.
More salary data for Rexburg, ID:
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 Rexburg. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Rexburg 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