Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Salina, KS: $67,236 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Salina, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $67,236 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Salina's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $73,967 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($91,030) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those starting their careers as civil engineers in Salina, Kansas, the prospects look promising in 2026. New graduates can anticipate an entry-level salary starting around $67,236. While this figure is significantly below the city’s median of $91,030, it’s essential to realize that there is potential for growth. Over the first few years, engineers can expect to progress from the entry-level mark to salaries around the 25th percentile of about $75,324 as they gain experience and knowledge in the field. This growth trajectory highlights a supportive market for new civil engineering graduates, making Salina an appealing location for launching a career.
About the Salina Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Salina
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 Salina
Entry-level civil engineers in Salina, KS typically start between $67,236 and $75,324 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $72,004 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $91,030 — 12.04% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Kansas of $48,000 represents just 71.39% of the starting civil engineer pay ($67,236/year) in Salina. 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 Salina
- 1Research the Salina market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $67,236 to $75,324, 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 Salina, 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 Salina for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Salina'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 Salina is $72,004 ( 107.09%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $67,236, experienced hygienists can earn up to $139,240.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,167
2025 BLS Actual
$65,513
2026 Current Est.
$67,236
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Salina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,167 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,916 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,601 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,694 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,513 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,236 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,004 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Salina, KS grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,167 in 2019 to $65,513 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $69,004. New graduates entering the Salina job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salina 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 Salina
Employers in Salina that actively seek entry-level civil engineers include prominent consulting firms such as AECOM and Jacobs, known for their structured training programs, which can provide strong mentorship and development opportunities for recent grads. Additionally, state and federal agencies like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers present pathways into government careers, complete with benefits like a pension. Construction firms like Bechtel and Fluor typically recruit for field-engineering roles, where new hires can engage directly in projects. To maximize starting salaries, candidates should focus on obtaining their FE exam during their final undergraduate year, leading to the EIT designation. Furthermore, pursuing a PE license, which enables career advancement to more senior positions, is crucial in this field. Given the increased infrastructure spending driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, now is an advantageous time to enter civil engineering in Salina, with realistic salary growth expectations of about 2.63% in the initial years, contingent on credentials and professional development.
More salary data for Salina, 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 Salina. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Salina 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