Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Plymouth, MN: $65,761 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Plymouth, MN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $65,761 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Plymouth's local price level (BEA RPP 98.5 — 1% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $66,762 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($102,786) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates in Plymouth, Minnesota, eyeing positions as civil engineers can expect starting salaries around $65,761 annually. This figure represents the lower end of the entry-level salary range, which extends significantly up to $159,319 at the 90th percentile. When comparing this entry-level pay to the city’s median annual salary of $102,786, there is a notable gap for new hires. However, the growth potential is evident as many early-career professionals can transition to salaries around $84,023 within a few years of experience, approaching the median within three to five years. Given the favorable salary growth trajectory and the increasing demand for infrastructure professionals fueled by initiatives such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Plymouth presents a solid market for new graduates looking to embark on their civil engineering careers.
About the Plymouth Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Plymouth
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 Plymouth
Entry-level civil engineers in Plymouth, MN typically start between $65,761 and $84,023 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $93,558 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $102,786 — 0.68% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Minnesota of $62,000 represents just 94.28% of the starting civil engineer pay ($65,761/year) in Plymouth. 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 Plymouth
- 1Research the Plymouth market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $65,761 to $84,023, 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 MN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Plymouth, 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 Plymouth for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Plymouth's moderate 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 Plymouth is $93,558 ( 142.27%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $65,761, experienced hygienists can earn up to $159,319.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,001
2025 BLS Actual
$64,076
2026 Current Est.
$65,761
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Plymouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,001 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,733 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,855 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,315 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,362 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,877 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,076 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,761 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,491 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Plymouth, MN grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $52,001 in 2019 to $64,076 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $67,491. New graduates entering the Plymouth job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plymouth 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 Plymouth
A variety of employers stand ready to hire fresh talent in civil engineering across Plymouth, including well-established consulting firms like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, which typically offer structured training programs for Engineers in Training (EITs). State and federal agencies, such as the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, also present ample opportunities through government career tracks that come with benefits like pensions. For new graduates seeking to enhance their starting civil engineer salary in Plymouth, obtaining Certifications like the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) during their senior year can prove advantageous, as can pursuing licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) post four years of relevant experience. A clear career strategy in the first couple of years could involve focusing on local firm relationships or preparing for the PE exam, as securing this credential is vital for advancement into senior roles and project management. Salary growth during those initial years is often promising, and with ongoing infrastructure spending, new engineers in Plymouth can secure a place in a thriving sector.
More salary data for Plymouth, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for civil engineers in Plymouth in 2026?
How fast do civil engineer salaries grow in Plymouth?
Is civil engineering school worth it in Plymouth?
What do new civil engineers make right out of school in Plymouth?
How do I become a civil engineer in Minnesota?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Minnesota
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 Plymouth. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Plymouth 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