Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Kearney, NE: $66,248 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Kearney, NE job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $66,248 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Kearney's local price level (BEA RPP 91.5 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $72,402 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($91,190) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the field, the starting civil engineer salary in Kearney, NE, in 2026 is projected to be around $66,248, which can serve as a reasonable benchmark for expectations as they launch their careers. This entry-level pay is significantly lower than the city median of $91,190, highlighting an approximate gap of $24,942 that fresh hires can anticipate bridging over time as they gain experience and skills. Within their initial 3 to 5 years, entry-level engineers have the potential to see their salaries rise as they transition from the 10th percentile pay to the 25th percentile, reaching $74,923 along the way. Given the ongoing demand in civil engineering driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Kearney can be viewed as a favorable market for new graduates, especially those equipped with a relevant educational background and credentials.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Kearney
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 Kearney
Entry-level civil engineers in Kearney, NE typically start between $66,248 and $74,923 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $75,096 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $91,190 — 11.89% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Nebraska of $50,000 represents just 75.47% of the starting civil engineer pay ($66,248/year) in Kearney. 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 Kearney
- 1Research the Kearney market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $66,248 to $74,923, 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 NE often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Kearney, 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 Kearney for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Kearney'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 Kearney is $75,096 ( 113.36%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $66,248, experienced hygienists can earn up to $141,344.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,385
2025 BLS Actual
$64,550
2026 Current Est.
$66,248
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,385 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,123 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,276 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,739 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,801 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,147 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,550 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,248 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,990 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Kearney, NE grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $52,385 in 2019 to $64,550 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $67,990. New graduates entering the Kearney job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearney 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 Kearney
Entry-level civil engineers in Kearney can find ample opportunities among various employers actively hiring in this sector. Large consulting firms like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP are known for recruiting fresh graduates eager to embark on their careers with well-structured training programs leading to Professional Engineer (PE) licensure. Additionally, government positions with state Departments of Transportation or federal agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offer a stable trajectory with job security and pension benefits. Construction companies like Bechtel and Fluor tend to hire field engineering positions for hands-on roles, while smaller local firms can provide faster ownership of projects but may lack the same level of structured training. Graduates can enhance their marketability by passing the FE exam during their final collegiate year, obtaining the EIT designation, and pursuing further credentials such as the PE license and specialized certifications like LEED AP. As new professionals, they can reasonably expect their salaries to incrementally increase over the first few years as they progress towards more senior roles within the field.
More salary data for Kearney, NE:
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 Kearney. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kearney 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