Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Oxford, MS: $60,456 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Oxford, MS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $60,456 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Oxford's local price level (BEA RPP 85.7 — 14% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $70,544 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($84,617) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those entering the civil engineering field in Oxford, MS, the starting civil engineer salary in 2026 is projected to be around $60,456. This figure is significantly lower than the city's median annual salary of $84,617, highlighting a common gap new graduates can expect as they begin their careers. Entry-level positions are an opportunity to gain valuable experience, and within the first few years, civil engineers can anticipate movement towards higher brackets like the 25th percentile at $68,575 and beyond. The entry-level market in Oxford remains promising for new graduates, particularly given the ongoing infrastructure investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which generates demand for engineers equipped to tackle related projects.
About the Oxford Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Oxford
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 Oxford
Entry-level civil engineers in Oxford, MS typically start between $60,456 and $68,575 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $70,701 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $84,617 — 18.24% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Mississippi of $42,000 represents just 69.47% of the starting civil engineer pay ($60,456/year) in Oxford. 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 Oxford
- 1Research the Oxford market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $60,456 to $68,575, 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 Oxford, 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 Oxford for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Oxford'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 Oxford is $70,701 ( 116.95%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $60,456, experienced hygienists can earn up to $131,157.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,806
2025 BLS Actual
$58,907
2026 Current Est.
$60,456
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Oxford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,806 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,479 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,269 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,692 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,574 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,592 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,907 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,456 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,046 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Oxford, MS grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $47,806 in 2019 to $58,907 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $62,046. New graduates entering the Oxford job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oxford 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 Oxford
In Oxford, various employers are actively seeking recent graduates to fill entry-level civil engineering positions. Large consulting firms, including AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, are well-known for recruiting fresh talent, offering structured training programs that lead to Professional Engineer (PE) licensure. These pathways are crucial for career advancement and often improve starting pay for new grad civil engineers in MS. State departments of transportation and federal agencies like the US Army Corps of Engineers also present stable options, while construction firms such as Bechtel and Fluor focus on field engineering roles. For those starting their careers, obtaining credentials like the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and seeking further skill development can lead to better opportunities and salary growth as they establish themselves in this vital profession.
More salary data for Oxford, 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 Oxford. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Oxford 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