Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Raleigh, NC: $76,121 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Raleigh, NC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $76,121 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Raleigh's local price level (BEA RPP 98.2 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $77,550 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($104,108) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Raleigh presents promising financial prospects for aspiring civil engineers entering the workforce, with a starting average salary projected at around $76,121 in 2026. This entry-level pay establishes a solid foundation, especially when compared to the city’s median salary of $104,108. For new graduates, the path to financial growth appears encouraging: within the first few years of employment, one can progress to $81,940, and further towards the median as their experience and responsibilities increase. Given the city's ongoing demand for infrastructure improvements propelled by recent legislative initiatives, Raleigh offers a competitive job market for fresh talent ready to make their mark in the civil engineering sector.
Career Earnings Timeline in Raleigh
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 Raleigh
Entry-level civil engineers in Raleigh, NC typically start between $76,121 and $81,940 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $91,895 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $104,108 — 0.6% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in North Carolina of $52,000 represents just 68.31% of the starting civil engineer pay ($76,121/year) in Raleigh. 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 Raleigh
- 1Research the Raleigh market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $76,121 to $81,940, 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 Raleigh, 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 Raleigh for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Raleigh'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 Raleigh is $91,895 ( 120.72%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $76,121, experienced hygienists can earn up to $168,016.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,260
2025 BLS Actual
$74,170
2026 Current Est.
$76,121
2019–2027 Growth
+34.1%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,430 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,450 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,570 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,180 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,121 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,123 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Raleigh, NC grew 27.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $58,260 in 2019 to $74,170 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $78,123. New graduates entering the Raleigh job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raleigh 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 Raleigh
In Raleigh, various employers actively seek to recruit new graduates, creating a robust environment for young civil engineers. Large consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs frequently hire entry-level engineers, offering structured training pathways toward Professional Engineer (PE) licensure. State governmental organizations, such as the Department of Transportation, and federal agencies like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also provide career tracks with attractive benefits, including pensions. Construction firms, including Bechtel and Fluor, may focus more on field engineering roles, while smaller firms often allow quicker project involvement, albeit with less formal training. To boost their starting civil engineer salary in Raleigh, new graduates should consider obtaining their Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) license during their senior year, as this will get them designated as an Engineer in Training (EIT) and set them on the path for PE licensure. With the ongoing investment in infrastructure, particularly to meet the demands imposed by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, new engineers can realistically expect to see salary growth that reflects their increasing expertise and contributions in the first few years of their careers.
More salary data for Raleigh, 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 Raleigh. 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