Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Gardner, KS: $64,853 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Gardner, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $64,853 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Gardner's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $71,345 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($87,239) 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 Gardner, KS, can expect to earn a starting salary of around $64,853, significantly below the city's median for all civil engineers, which stands at $87,239. This gap highlights the initial financial challenges faced by entry-level professionals as they establish their careers. Within the first few years, however, upward mobility is achievable, with salaries expected to grow to approximately $72,138 for those in the 25th percentile. Entry-level civil engineers in Gardner should view this market as relatively favorable, as the area's projected growth rate of 2.63% annually aligns with rising infrastructure spending initiatives tied to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, ensuring ongoing demand for civil engineering roles.
About the Gardner Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Gardner
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 Gardner
Entry-level civil engineers in Gardner, KS typically start between $64,853 and $72,138 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $70,367 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $87,239 — 15.7% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Kansas of $48,000 represents just 74.01% of the starting civil engineer pay ($64,853/year) in Gardner. 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 Gardner
- 1Research the Gardner market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $64,853 to $72,138, 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 KS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Gardner, 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 Gardner for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Gardner'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 Gardner is $70,367 ( 108.50%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $64,853, experienced hygienists can earn up to $135,220.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$51,282
2025 BLS Actual
$63,191
2026 Current Est.
$64,853
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Gardner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,282 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,005 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,524 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,542 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,977 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,191 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,853 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,559 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Gardner, KS grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $51,282 in 2019 to $63,191 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $66,559. New graduates entering the Gardner job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gardner 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 Gardner
Emerging civil engineers in Gardner have access to several key employers that actively recruit entry-level talent. Large consulting firms like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP offer structured training programs and mentorship, helping new graduates gain experience and develop their credentials, particularly the PE license. State and federal agencies, such as the US Army Corps of Engineers, also provide stable career paths with competitive benefits. Smaller construction firms often seek EITs for field roles, which may lack formal training programs but offer quicker project ownership. To enhance their starting pay in Kansas, new graduates should focus on obtaining their Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) certification, ideally during their senior year. This paves the way for the EIT designation and eventually the PE license, which is critical for advancement. Overall, with strong industry demand, civil engineers in their first few years in Gardner can realistically anticipate gradual salary increases based on skill development and experience in an expanding market.
More salary data for Gardner, KS:
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 Gardner. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Gardner 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