Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Sioux City, IA: $71,595 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Sioux City, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $71,595 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Sioux City's local price level (BEA RPP 86.5 — 14% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $82,813 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($90,786) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates, the **entry-level civil engineer salary in Sioux City, IA** is projected to start at around $71,595 in 2026. This figure may seem modest when compared to the city's median annual salary of $90,786, indicating a potential gap in earnings for newcomers in the field. However, ambitious entry-level engineers can expect a realistic growth path over the first few years as they gain experience and expertise. With initial salaries moving up to $77,014 by the 25th percentile, and a projected median salary that surpasses entry-level rates, Sioux City presents an attractive job market for new civil engineering graduates striving to establish their careers in infrastructure and development.
Career Earnings Timeline in Sioux City
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 Sioux City
Entry-level civil engineers in Sioux City, IA typically start between $71,595 and $77,014 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $71,050 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $90,786 — 12.28% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Iowa of $52,000 represents just 72.63% of the starting civil engineer pay ($71,595/year) in Sioux City. 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 Sioux City
- 1Research the Sioux City market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $71,595 to $77,014, 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 Sioux City, 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 Sioux City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Sioux City'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 Sioux City is $71,050 ( 99.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $71,595, experienced hygienists can earn up to $142,645.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,750
2025 BLS Actual
$69,760
2026 Current Est.
$71,595
2019–2027 Growth
+25.1%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Sioux City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,310 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,760 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,595 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,478 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Sioux City, IA grew 18.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $58,750 in 2019 to $69,760 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $73,478. New graduates entering the Sioux City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux City 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 Sioux City
Several key employers are actively hiring entry-level civil engineers in Sioux City, including large consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, which offer structured career paths and mentorship for recent graduates. State DOTs and federal agencies, like the US Army Corps of Engineers, are also significant players, providing government positions with job stability and benefits like pensions. New graduates can enhance their earning potential by attaining an EIT designation through the FE exam—crucial for those seeking a PE license in the future, which serves as a gateway to senior positions. With the continued increase in infrastructure spending spurred by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the demand for civil engineers remains strong throughout the region. Career growth in Sioux City typically accelerates within the first three years, provided engineers actively pursue additional certifications and engage in ongoing professional development while navigating the evolving market demands.
More salary data for Sioux City, IA:
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 Sioux City. 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