Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Coralville, IA: $66,034 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Coralville, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $66,034 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Coralville's local price level (BEA RPP 90.4 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $73,046 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($94,138) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Coralville, Iowa, the starting civil engineer salary for new graduates in 2026 is projected at around $66,034 per year. While this figure represents the bottom 10% of earners, the city itself has a median annual salary of $94,138, highlighting a considerable gap for entry-level positions. For new engineers entering the field, it's important to recognize that initial earnings can rise significantly with experience. As professionals progress through their careers, they can expect salaries to grow towards the first quartile at $74,972, and then ultimately approach the median as they accumulate 3 to 5 years of experience. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.63%, Coralville remains a viable market for recent graduates seeking to start their careers in civil engineering.
About the Coralville Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Coralville
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 Coralville
Entry-level civil engineers in Coralville, IA typically start between $66,034 and $74,972 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $79,880 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $94,138 — 9.04% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Iowa of $52,000 represents just 78.75% of the starting civil engineer pay ($66,034/year) in Coralville. 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 Coralville
- 1Research the Coralville market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $66,034 to $74,972, 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 IA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Coralville, 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 Coralville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Coralville'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 Coralville is $79,880 ( 120.97%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $66,034, experienced hygienists can earn up to $145,914.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,217
2025 BLS Actual
$64,342
2026 Current Est.
$66,034
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Coralville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,217 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,952 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,091 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,553 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,609 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,886 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,342 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,034 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,771 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Coralville, IA grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $52,217 in 2019 to $64,342 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $67,771. New graduates entering the Coralville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Coralville 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 Coralville
Employers in Coralville that typically hire entry-level civil engineers include prominent consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, WSP, and Kimley-Horn, which develop structured pathways for new graduates through extensive training programs. State departments of transportation and federal agencies like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offer secure government positions with excellent long-term benefits, including pensions. Construction companies, such as Bechtel and Fluor, look for field-engineering EIT candidates. Additionally, smaller firms can provide quicker project ownership opportunities, albeit often with less formal training. For new civil engineering professionals, acquiring a Bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited program and passing the FE exam are essential steps towards gaining the EIT designation. As infrastructure spending continues to rise due to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, early-career engineers can expect realistic salary growth in their first few years, especially as they work towards obtaining the PE license, which is critical for advanced roles in the field. Networking within the NSPE and establishing strong local relationships can further enhance employment prospects in Coralville.
More salary data for Coralville, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for civil engineers in Coralville in 2026?
How fast do civil engineer salaries grow in Coralville?
Is civil engineering school worth it in Coralville?
What do new civil engineers make right out of school in Coralville?
How do I become a civil engineer in Iowa?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Iowa
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 Coralville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Coralville 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