Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Starkville, MS: $57,207 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Starkville, MS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $57,207 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Starkville's local price level (BEA RPP 85.7 — 14% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $66,753 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($86,249) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates seeking entry-level civil engineering positions in Starkville, MS, can anticipate a starting salary around $57,207 in 2026, which is approximately 66% lower than the city's median annual salary of $86,249. For recent grads, this disparity illustrates the importance of aligning expectations with market conditions. The growth trajectory for entry-level positions is quite respectable, as salaries are projected to rise significantly over the first few years: reaching $71,889 at the 25th percentile within a few years is certainly achievable with experience and skill development. With a growth rate of 2.63% annually, Starkville presents favorable conditions for those entering the profession, particularly given the city's focus on infrastructure projects that are likely to stimulate hiring in this sector.
About the Starkville Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Starkville
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 Starkville
Entry-level civil engineers in Starkville, MS typically start between $57,207 and $71,889 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $75,337 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $86,249 — 16.66% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Mississippi of $42,000 represents just 73.42% of the starting civil engineer pay ($57,207/year) in Starkville. 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 Starkville
- 1Research the Starkville market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $57,207 to $71,889, 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 Starkville, 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 Starkville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Starkville'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 Starkville is $75,337 ( 131.69%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $57,207, experienced hygienists can earn up to $132,544.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,236
2025 BLS Actual
$55,741
2026 Current Est.
$57,207
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Starkville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,236 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,874 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,460 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,860 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,123 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,741 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,207 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,712 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Starkville, MS grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $45,236 in 2019 to $55,741 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $58,712. New graduates entering the Starkville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Starkville 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 Starkville
Several employers in Starkville actively seek out new graduates, including large consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, WSP, and Kimley-Horn. These organizations often have structured training pipelines for Engineers in Training (EITs), ensuring recent graduates gain valuable experience leading towards Professional Engineer (PE) licensure. State departments of transportation and federal agencies, including USACE, also provide robust career paths with long-term benefits. Candidates holding a Bachelor's in civil engineering from an ABET-accredited program and who have passed the FE exam during their senior year typically start off stronger in the job market. Furthermore, with significant infrastructure funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law driving demand, new engineers can expect realistic salary growth as they progress. During the first three years, with dedication and a focus on obtaining a PE license, new professionals can anticipate notable increases in their compensation as they move toward more senior roles in Starkville’s vibrant civil engineering landscape.
More salary data for Starkville, 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 Starkville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Starkville 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