Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Leawood, KS: $66,039 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Leawood, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $66,039 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Leawood's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $72,650 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($90,526) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Newly graduated civil engineers looking to start their careers in Leawood, Kansas, can expect a starting civil engineer salary around $66,039 according to 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS data. This figure is significantly lower than the city’s median annual salary of $90,526, creating a notable gap that entry-level professionals should prepare for in their early years. Nevertheless, there’s a promising growth trajectory, with potential earnings moving from this initial pay to $72,286 at the 25th percentile and ultimately approaching the median as one garners experience over the first three to five years. Overall, Leawood presents a supportive market for new graduates right now, with opportunities to build a strong foundation in engineering, especially given the rise in infrastructure spending driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
About the Leawood Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Leawood
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 Leawood
Entry-level civil engineers in Leawood, KS typically start between $66,039 and $72,286 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $74,276 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $90,526 — 12.53% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Kansas of $48,000 represents just 72.68% of the starting civil engineer pay ($66,039/year) in Leawood. 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 Leawood
- 1Research the Leawood market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $66,039 to $72,286, 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 Leawood, 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 Leawood for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Leawood'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 Leawood is $74,276 ( 112.47%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $66,039, experienced hygienists can earn up to $140,315.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,221
2025 BLS Actual
$64,347
2026 Current Est.
$66,039
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Leawood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,221 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,956 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,096 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,558 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,613 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,347 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,039 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,776 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Leawood, KS grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $52,221 in 2019 to $64,347 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $67,776. New graduates entering the Leawood job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Leawood 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 Leawood
In Leawood, several key players actively recruit new civil engineering graduates. Prominent firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP are known for their structured Professional Engineer (PE) training programs, making them appealing starting points for new grads. State departments of transportation and federal agencies like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also offer well-defined career tracks, often complete with pension plans. For those inclined toward construction, companies like Bechtel and Fluor are eager for entry-level engineers specializing in fieldwork. Earning credentials like the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) designation during college, and eventually obtaining your PE license, will significantly boost your starting pay potential in Kansas. Moreover, the first three years in the profession can lead to realistic salary increases, driven by strong demand for civil infrastructure expertise. Aspiring engineers would do well to consider the long-term benefits of professional development, as these credentials can facilitate advancement to senior-level positions and project management roles, which are crucial in seizing opportunities offered by the expanding local engineering market.
More salary data for Leawood, 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 Leawood. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Leawood 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