Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Laurel, MS: $60,610 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Laurel, MS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $60,610 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Laurel's local price level (BEA RPP 85.7 — 14% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $70,723 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($82,027) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Laurel, Mississippi, new graduates entering the civil engineering field can expect a starting salary around $60,610 in 2026. This figure reflects the entry-level pay for early-career engineers, which is notably lower than the median annual salary for civil engineers in the city at $82,027. As entry-level engineers gain experience, a realistic growth trajectory moves from this initial salary towards approximately $67,560, and eventually can lead to the median salary with notable industry experience. With infrastructure investments supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Laurel presents a favorable market for fresh civil engineering graduates who are eager to launch their careers.
About the Laurel Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Laurel
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 Laurel
Entry-level civil engineers in Laurel, MS typically start between $60,610 and $67,560 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $63,570 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $82,027 — 20.74% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Mississippi of $42,000 represents just 69.30% of the starting civil engineer pay ($60,610/year) in Laurel. 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 Laurel
- 1Research the Laurel market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $60,610 to $67,560, 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 MS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Laurel, 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 Laurel for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Laurel'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 Laurel is $63,570 ( 104.88%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $60,610, experienced hygienists can earn up to $124,180.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,928
2025 BLS Actual
$59,057
2026 Current Est.
$60,610
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Laurel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,928 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,603 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,402 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,826 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,713 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,707 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,057 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,610 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,204 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Laurel, MS grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $47,928 in 2019 to $59,057 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $62,204. New graduates entering the Laurel job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laurel 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 Laurel
Several prominent employers in Laurel actively seek new civil engineering graduates to fill entry-level positions. Consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs are known for recruiting newly minted engineers within structured programs that facilitate professional development. Additionally, state and federal agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provide career tracks that guarantee pensions and job stability. While larger construction firms may focus on field engineering roles, smaller companies often allow for quicker project ownership—albeit with less formal training. Aspiring engineers can enhance their earning potential by obtaining their Engineer-in-Training (EIT) designation and working toward a Professional Engineer (PE) license, which is essential for advancing in senior roles. Given the prevailing industry dynamics, entry-level professionals in Laurel can realistically anticipate gradual salary increases as they accumulate experience over their first few years.
More salary data for Laurel, MS:
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 Laurel. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Laurel 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