Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Glens Falls, NY: $67,592 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Glens Falls, NY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $67,592 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Glens Falls's local price level (BEA RPP 94.9 — 5% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $71,250 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($94,584) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the civil engineering field in Glens Falls can expect starting salaries around $67,592. While this figure may seem modest compared to the median annual salary of $94,584 for all civil engineers in the area, it marks a reasonable entry point for recent graduates just beginning their careers. Over the first few years, new civil engineers can anticipate gradual salary increases as they gain experience and move closer to the $79,179 level at the 25th percentile. The strong demand for civil engineering professionals, spurred by infrastructure initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, positions Glens Falls as a viable market for fresh graduates eager to build their careers in engineering.
Career Earnings Timeline in Glens Falls
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 Glens Falls
Entry-level civil engineers in Glens Falls, NY typically start between $67,592 and $79,179 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $62,050 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $94,584 — 8.61% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in New York of $98,000 represents just 144.99% of the starting civil engineer pay ($67,592/year) in Glens Falls. 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 Glens Falls
- 1Research the Glens Falls market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $67,592 to $79,179, 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 NY often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Glens Falls, 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 Glens Falls for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Glens Falls'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 Glens Falls is $62,050 ( 91.80%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $67,592, experienced hygienists can earn up to $129,642.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,220
2025 BLS Actual
$65,860
2026 Current Est.
$67,592
2019–2027 Growth
+21.2%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Glens Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,660 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,592 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,370 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Glens Falls, NY grew 15.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $57,220 in 2019 to $65,860 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $69,370. New graduates entering the Glens Falls job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Glens Falls 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 Glens Falls
Employers in Glens Falls actively seek out new graduates from accredited civil engineering programs, with larger consulting firms such as AECOM and Jacobs often leading the charge. These firms typically offer structured training and mentorship programs for entry-level engineers, which are pivotal for acquiring professional experience and progressing toward licensure. State and federal agencies, including the New York State Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, also hire newcomers, providing long-term job security and benefits such as pension plans. For those looking to accelerate their earning potential, earning credentials like a Professional Engineer (PE) license is essential. By completing the FE exam and gaining practical experience under a licensed PE, early-career professionals can enhance their marketability and salary prospects. Year one to three can see upward growth as new civil engineers move toward more specialized roles, bridging the gap between entry-level salaries and those of their more experienced colleagues.
More salary data for Glens Falls, NY:
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 Glens Falls. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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