Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Shreveport, LA: $62,153 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Shreveport, LA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $62,153 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Shreveport's local price level (BEA RPP 84.8 — 15% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $73,323 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($101,142) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the civil engineering field in Shreveport, Louisiana, can anticipate a starting salary of around $62,153, which may seem modest compared to the city's overall median of $101,142. This creates a significant gap for early-career professionals, but it’s worth noting that there is potential for salary growth as experience accumulates. With dedicated effort and the attainment of credentials like the Fundamental of Engineering (FE) exam, individuals can aim to reach around $75,525 within the first few years. Given the infrastructure spending momentum propelled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Shreveport appears to be a favorable market overall for new civil engineering graduates eager to embark on their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Shreveport
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 Shreveport
Entry-level civil engineers in Shreveport, LA typically start between $62,153 and $75,525 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $87,081 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $101,142 — 2.27% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Louisiana of $50,000 represents just 80.45% of the starting civil engineer pay ($62,153/year) in Shreveport. 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 Shreveport
- 1Research the Shreveport market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $62,153 to $75,525, 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 LA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Shreveport, 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 Shreveport for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Shreveport'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 Shreveport is $87,081 ( 140.11%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $62,153, experienced hygienists can earn up to $149,234.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$60,560
2025 BLS Actual
$60,560
2026 Current Est.
$62,153
2019–2027 Growth
+5.3%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Shreveport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,560 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,010 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,560 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,153 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,787 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Shreveport, LA grew 0.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $60,560 in 2019 to $60,560 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $63,787. New graduates entering the Shreveport job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shreveport 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 Shreveport
When it comes to landing that first job, several employers in Shreveport actively seek entry-level civil engineers. Large consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP offer structured training programs that include pathways to becoming a licensed Professional Engineer (PE). Alternatively, state departments and federal agencies like the US Army Corps of Engineers provide career tracks for engineers with benefits like pension plans. In contrast, construction firms, such as Bechtel and Fluor, look for field-engineering talent. With the right educational background, including a Bachelor's from an ABET-accredited program and EIT designation from passing the FE exam, new grads can improve their starting pay. Considering the sustained demand for infrastructure development, realistic expectations for salary growth in the first three years range significantly, depending on the choices made regarding company type and professional development opportunities.
More salary data for Shreveport, LA:
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 Shreveport. 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