Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Concord, NC: $69,778 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Concord, NC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $69,778 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Concord's local price level (BEA RPP 93.6 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $74,549 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($106,781) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Concord, North Carolina, presents a favorable environment for new graduates entering the field of civil engineering. With a starting civil engineer salary projected at $69,778 in 2026, recent grads can establish a solid foothold while they climb the career ladder. This entry-level pay, although under the city median of $106,781, reflects a growing demand for civil engineers, largely driven by infrastructure initiatives under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Fresh hires can realistically expect to advance to around $82,207 after gaining a couple of years of experience, gaining crucial skills and exposure in the process. Among cities in North Carolina, Concord remains an appealing market for aspiring civil engineers, offering opportunities that align with the national growth rate of 2.63% over the next several years.
About the Concord Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Concord
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 Concord
Entry-level civil engineers in Concord, NC typically start between $69,778 and $82,207 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $95,733 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $106,781 — 3.18% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in North Carolina of $52,000 represents just 74.52% of the starting civil engineer pay ($69,778/year) in Concord. 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 Concord
- 1Research the Concord market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $69,778 to $82,207, 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 NC often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Concord, 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 Concord for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Concord'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 Concord is $95,733 ( 137.20%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $69,778, experienced hygienists can earn up to $165,511.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$55,177
2025 BLS Actual
$67,990
2026 Current Est.
$69,778
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Concord (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,177 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,954 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,328 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,816 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,988 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,481 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,778 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,613 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Concord, NC grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $55,177 in 2019 to $67,990 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $71,613. New graduates entering the Concord job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Concord 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 Concord
To enhance their earning potential, entry-level civil engineers in Concord should consider key pathways for growth and development. Major employers, such as consulting firms like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, actively recruit new graduates with structured training programs to facilitate the pursuit of their Professional Engineer (PE) license, which is pivotal for career advancement. State and federal agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, also present valuable career trajectories with government benefits like pensions, while construction companies like Bechtel and Fluor often hire early-career engineers for field roles. Credentials such as a Bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited program and passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam will set new grads on the right path. With a healthy job market and growing investment in infrastructure projects, civil engineering graduates can expect realistic salary increases as they move toward gaining their PE license and taking on greater responsibilities in the years ahead.
More salary data for Concord, NC:
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 Concord. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Concord 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