Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Prairie Village, KS: $67,165 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Prairie Village, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $67,165 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Prairie Village's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $73,889 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($88,342) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the civil engineering workforce in Prairie Village, Kansas, the starting pay environment in 2026 projects an entry-level salary of approximately $67,165. While this figure may initially seem modest compared to the median annual salary of $88,342 for civil engineers in the area, it reflects a typical trajectory for early-career professionals. Many new grads can expect to progress through initial salary ranges, moving from the P10 threshold to the P25 level at $74,415 within the first few years, providing a substantial upward path that can lead to the median as they gain more experience and skills. Given the 2.63% annual growth rate in the field and the increased infrastructure spending due to recent legislation, Prairie Village presents a favorable job market for incoming civil engineers, with potential for increased hiring aimed at bolstering local projects and development.
About the Prairie Village Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Prairie Village
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 Prairie Village
Entry-level civil engineers in Prairie Village, KS typically start between $67,165 and $74,415 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $69,299 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $88,342 — 14.64% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Kansas of $48,000 represents just 71.47% of the starting civil engineer pay ($67,165/year) in Prairie Village. 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 Prairie Village
- 1Research the Prairie Village market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $67,165 to $74,415, 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 Prairie Village, 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 Prairie Village for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Prairie Village'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 Prairie Village is $69,299 ( 103.18%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $67,165, experienced hygienists can earn up to $136,464.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,111
2025 BLS Actual
$65,444
2026 Current Est.
$67,165
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Prairie Village (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,111 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,859 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,069 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,539 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,630 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,927 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,444 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,165 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,932 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Prairie Village, KS grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,111 in 2019 to $65,444 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $68,932. New graduates entering the Prairie Village job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Prairie Village 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 Prairie Village
Among the employers actively seeking to hire recent graduates in Prairie Village, several large consulting firms stand out, particularly AECOM, Jacobs, WSP, and Kimley-Horn, which are known for their structured Professional Engineer (PE) training pipelines. Beyond consulting, state Departments of Transportation and federal agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provide stable career paths with benefits, including pensions. For those preferring field experience, construction companies like Bechtel and Fluor offer opportunities for entry-level engineers to engage directly in project execution. Graduates can enhance their starting pay by securing an Engineer in Training (EIT) designation through the FE exam, and eventually progressing toward a PE license, which is critical for advancement. As recent scholarship from the NSPE indicates, continued education and credentialing in this field are essential, particularly as infrastructure investments stimulate demand for skilled civil engineers. For new grads, a realistic salary growth expectation in the $70,000s range during the first few years reflects the competitive landscape, especially as they aim toward mid-career positions and higher earnings in a thriving market.
More salary data for Prairie Village, 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 Prairie Village. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Prairie Village 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