Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Lee's Summit, MO: $57,274 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Lee's Summit, MO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $57,274 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lee's Summit's local price level (BEA RPP 89.6 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $63,922 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($84,592) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Newly minted civil engineers in Lee's Summit, Missouri can anticipate a starting civil engineer salary of around $57,274 in 2026. This figure represents the lower end of the salary spectrum for early-career professionals, indicating that new grads may initially earn below the city median salary of $84,592. However, there is a clear path for growth, as entry-level engineers can expect salaries to increase to approximately $66,636 within a few years, and potentially reach the median as they gain experience. Considering the 2.63% growth rate projected for civil engineering roles, Lee's Summit presents a favorable market for new graduates, providing a stable environment for young professionals to develop their careers.
About the Lee's Summit Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lee's Summit
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 Lee's Summit
Entry-level civil engineers in Lee's Summit, MO typically start between $57,274 and $66,636 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $73,843 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $84,592 — 18.26% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Missouri of $52,000 represents just 90.79% of the starting civil engineer pay ($57,274/year) in Lee's Summit. 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 Lee's Summit
- 1Research the Lee's Summit market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $57,274 to $66,636, 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 MO often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Lee's Summit, 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 Lee's Summit for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lee's Summit'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 Lee's Summit is $73,843 ( 128.93%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $57,274, experienced hygienists can earn up to $131,117.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,289
2025 BLS Actual
$55,806
2026 Current Est.
$57,274
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Lee's Summit (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,289 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,927 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,517 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,918 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,701 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,782 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,806 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,274 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,780 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Lee's Summit, MO grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $45,289 in 2019 to $55,806 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $58,780. New graduates entering the Lee's Summit job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lee's Summit 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 Lee's Summit
In terms of employment opportunities, several firms in Lee's Summit actively recruit entry-level engineers. Major consulting giants like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP are known for their structured training programs aimed at developing new engineers through their Engineering Intern Training (EIT) pathways. Government entities such as state Departments of Transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) also provide attractive career tracks. For those looking to enhance their earning potential, obtaining credentials such as an Engineered-in-Training (EIT) certification after passing the FE exam can boost starting pay. Moreover, infrastructure investments driven by initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law have paved the way for sustained demand in the sector. By strategically pursuing certifications and maintaining strong professional networks, entry-level civil engineers in Lee's Summit can expect steady salary growth, with realistic increases reflecting regional industry trends and opportunities.
More salary data for Lee's Summit, MO:
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 Lee's Summit. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lee's Summit 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