Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Dover, NH: $79,181 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Dover, NH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $79,181 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Dover's local price level (BEA RPP 107.3 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $73,794 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($107,375) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduating as a civil engineer in Dover, New Hampshire, offers promising prospects in 2026, with starting salaries for entry-level positions around $79,181. This figure highlights a significant gap when compared to the city’s median annual salary of $107,375; however, it sets a solid foundation for new graduates. Over the first three to five years of their careers, entry-level engineers can expect realistic salary growth as they progress toward the 25th percentile earning $88,754 and eventually reach the median salary. With increasing infrastructure spending spurred by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Dover is becoming an attractive market for new civil engineering graduates eager to embark on their professional journeys.
About the Dover Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Dover
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 Dover
Entry-level civil engineers in Dover, NH typically start between $79,181 and $88,754 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $84,644 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $107,375 — 3.75% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in New Hampshire of $72,000 represents just 90.93% of the starting civil engineer pay ($79,181/year) in Dover. 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 Dover
- 1Research the Dover market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $79,181 to $88,754, 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 NH often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Dover, 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 Dover for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Dover's moderate 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 Dover is $84,644 ( 106.90%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $79,181, experienced hygienists can earn up to $163,825.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,180
2025 BLS Actual
$77,152
2026 Current Est.
$79,181
2019–2027 Growth
+55.7%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Dover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,900 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,660 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,310 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,180 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,152 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,181 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,264 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Dover, NH grew 47.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $52,180 in 2019 to $77,152 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $81,264. New graduates entering the Dover job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dover 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 Dover
Employers in Dover actively seek recent graduates, especially prominent consulting firms such as AECOM and Jacobs, which typically feature structured training programs for new engineers. Additionally, state and federal agencies like the US Army Corps of Engineers offer long-term career paths that include essential benefits such as pensions. Construction companies like Bechtel and Fluor also appeal to entry-level talent for positions focused on field engineering. New graduates can enhance their earning potential in New Hampshire by obtaining qualifications such as an ABET-accredited degree, passing the FE exam to earn the EIT designation, and pursuing licensure as a PE. With the right credentials, entry-level engineers can realistically expect growth in salary during their first years as they navigate their career paths, moving toward opportunities that require a Professional Engineer license, which becomes critical for advancing to senior roles and managing projects. As the market evolves, continued education and credentialing remain vital to securing favorable positions within a competitive environment in the civil engineering field.
More salary data for Dover, NH:
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 Dover. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Dover 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