Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Portsmouth, NH: $76,236 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Portsmouth, NH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $76,236 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Portsmouth's local price level (BEA RPP 107.3 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $71,049 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($106,550) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the civil engineering field in Portsmouth, NH, can expect a starting salary around $76,236 in 2026. This figure represents the bottom tier of earnings for entry-level positions and highlights a noticeable gap compared to the city’s median annual salary of $106,550. For early-career engineers, the pay can realistically increase to about $86,029 as they gain experience and skills, thanks to the projected growth trajectory that'll occur over the first three to five years. Given this context, Portsmouth presents a reasonably favorable market for recent graduates, especially considering the infrastructure spending driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is expected to sustain demand for civil engineering professionals in the area.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Portsmouth
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 Portsmouth
Entry-level civil engineers in Portsmouth, NH typically start between $76,236 and $86,029 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $82,378 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $106,550 — 2.95% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in New Hampshire of $72,000 represents just 94.44% of the starting civil engineer pay ($76,236/year) in Portsmouth. 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 Portsmouth
- 1Research the Portsmouth market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $76,236 to $86,029, 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 Portsmouth, 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 Portsmouth for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Portsmouth'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 Portsmouth is $82,378 ( 108.06%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $76,236, experienced hygienists can earn up to $158,614.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$60,430
2025 BLS Actual
$74,282
2026 Current Est.
$76,236
2019–2027 Growth
+29.5%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Portsmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,430 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,640 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,282 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,236 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,241 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Portsmouth, NH grew 22.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $60,430 in 2019 to $74,282 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $78,241. New graduates entering the Portsmouth job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth
When considering employment opportunities, prospective civil engineers in Portsmouth should target firms that actively recruit new graduates. Major consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, along with WSP and Kimley-Horn, regularly onboard entry-level candidates into structured training programs, often supporting the transition from Engineer in Training (EIT) to licensed Professional Engineer (PE). Additionally, government entities such as state Departments of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provide stable career options with pension benefits. Moreover, construction companies like Bechtel and Fluor hire field-engineering EITs for hands-on experience. For new hires, holding an ABET-accredited engineering degree and passing the FE exam during their senior year can significantly enhance earning potential. With infrastructure investment on the rise, those entering the profession should anticipate realistic salary growth within the first few years, as the PE license becomes a critical credential for advancing to senior roles, such as project management.
More salary data for Portsmouth, 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 Portsmouth. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Portsmouth 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