Civil Engineer Salary

Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Marquette, MI: $66,981 (2026)

Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Marquette, MI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $66,981 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Marquette's local price level (BEA RPP 93.27% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $71,868 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($93,191) within a few years of clinical practice.

$66,981
Starting Salary
$32.21/hr
Starting Hourly
$66,981
Entry Level
$93,191
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Civil Engineer Entry Level Salary in Marquette, MI — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Marquette, MI civil engineer entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

Entering the field of civil engineering in Marquette, MI, in 2026, new graduates can expect to see starting salaries around $66,981 annually. This entry-level civil engineer salary in Marquette is significantly lower than the overall city median of $93,191, highlighting a distinct gap for early-career professionals. However, the potential for growth is promising, as newly minted engineers typically advance through the salary ranges quickly. Within their first three to five years, they can realistically aim for salaries between $75,686 (P25) to the median, reflecting the growth trajectory many can experience in this stable market. Given the strong foundation in infrastructure spending propelled by recent legislative initiatives, Marquette presents an encouraging environment for fresh civil engineering graduates looking to kick-start their careers.

About the Marquette Market

Salary estimated from Michigan average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Marquette

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$66,981/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$75,686/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$93,191/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$115,286/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Marquette

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for civil engineers in Marquette. The median salary is $93,191, compared to the national median of $103,492.$60.3K$81.9K$103.5K$125.1K$146.7K$67.0K10th Pctl$75.7K25th Pctl$93.2KMedian$115.3K75th Pctl$139.7K90th PctlUS Median$103.5K

Entry-level civil engineers in Marquette, MI typically start between $66,981 and $75,686 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $72,698 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $93,1919.95% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of civil engineer pay in the Marquette metro area.

Return on Investment

$58,000
Avg MI Program Cost
$66,981
Starting Salary
86.59%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average civil engineering program cost in Michigan of $58,000 represents just 86.59% of the starting civil engineer pay ($66,981/year) in Marquette. 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 Marquette

  • 1Research the Marquette market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $66,981 to $75,686, 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 MI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Marquette, 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 Marquette for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Marquette'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 Marquette is $72,698 ( 108.54%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $66,981, experienced hygienists can earn up to $139,679.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$52,966

2025 BLS Actual

$65,265

2026 Current Est.

$66,981

2019–2027 Growth

+29.8%

Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Marquette (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for civil engineers in Marquette. Baseline $52,966 in 2025, projected to $68,743 by 2027.$49.8K$55.3K$60.9K$66.4K$71.9K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$53.0K$53.7K$57.9K$58.4K$60.5K$58.1K$65.3K$67.0K$68.7K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$52,966Actual
2020$53,712Actual
2021$57,910Actual
2022$58,379Actual
2023$60,464Actual
2024$58,056Actual
2025$65,265Actual
2026(current)$66,981Estimated
2027$68,743Projected

Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Marquette, MI grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $52,966 in 2019 to $65,265 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $68,743. New graduates entering the Marquette job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marquette metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Marquette

Various employers in Marquette seek to hire new graduate civil engineers, catering to different career aspirations. Large consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs actively recruit entry-level talent, often offering structured pathways for Professional Engineer (PE) licensure through their training programs. Additionally, state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, provide government career tracks that come with long-term benefits such as pension plans. Construction companies like Bechtel and Fluor tend to focus on field engineering roles, offering hands-on experience, while smaller firms sometimes provide quicker project ownership at the expense of a more defined training structure. To maximize entry-level pay in Michigan, holding an ABET-accredited bachelor's degree and successfully completing the FE exam during senior year is crucial. The emphasis on securing a PE license post-graduation cannot be overlooked, as credentialing can significantly accelerate career advancement. With infrastructure projects on the rise due to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, new engineers can anticipate a flourishing job market, enabling growth in their earnings over the first few years, particularly if they actively pursue additional credentials and networking through organizations like the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for civil engineers in Marquette in 2026?

Entry-level civil engineers in Marquette start at approximately $66,981/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.63% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $32.20/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do civil engineer salaries grow in Marquette?

Most civil engineers in Marquette progress from the entry-level salary of $66,981 to the area median of $93,191 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $139,679 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is civil engineering school worth it in Marquette?

With a starting salary of $66,981/year in Marquette and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new civil engineers recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new civil engineers make right out of school in Marquette?

New civil engineering graduates in Marquette typically start near the 10th percentile at $66,981/year, or approximately $32.20/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a civil engineer in Michigan?

To become a licensed civil engineer in Michigan, you typically need bachelor's degree in civil engineering from an abet-accredited program (4 years). master's (msce) common for specialty practice or research. professional engineer (pe) license required for engineers who sign off on public projects: pass the fundamentals of engineering (fe) exam, accumulate 4 years of supervised experience, then pass the pe civil exam. state licensure board oversees pe credentialing., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Michigan, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some civil engineers pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Michigan

JC

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.

Clinically reviewed by Aisha Patel, Ph.D.Data verified by Carlos Ramirez, M.S.

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 Marquette. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Marquette is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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