Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Wilson, NC: $67,213 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Wilson, NC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $67,213 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wilson's local price level (BEA RPP 93.6 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $71,809 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($92,924) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new civil engineering graduates in Wilson, North Carolina, can anticipate an entry-level salary starting at approximately $67,213. This figure represents the lower end of the salary range, with the median for all civil engineers in the city at $92,924, indicating a notable gap. Over the first few years of their careers, entry-level engineers are likely to see their salaries increase as they gain experience, moving from the P10 threshold through to the P25 level, which is set at $75,842. Given the region's strong demand for civil engineering professionals driven by infrastructure spending associated with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Wilson presents a supportive market for new graduates looking to launch their careers effectively.
About the Wilson Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wilson
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 Wilson
Entry-level civil engineers in Wilson, NC typically start between $67,213 and $75,842 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $76,820 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $92,924 — 10.21% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in North Carolina of $52,000 represents just 77.37% of the starting civil engineer pay ($67,213/year) in Wilson. 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 Wilson
- 1Research the Wilson market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $67,213 to $75,842, 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 Wilson, 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 Wilson for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wilson'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 Wilson is $76,820 ( 114.29%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $67,213, experienced hygienists can earn up to $144,033.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,149
2025 BLS Actual
$65,491
2026 Current Est.
$67,213
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Wilson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,149 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,898 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,111 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,581 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,673 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,491 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,213 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,981 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Wilson, NC grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,149 in 2019 to $65,491 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $68,981. New graduates entering the Wilson job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilson 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 Wilson
Several prominent employers in Wilson actively recruit entry-level civil engineers, including large consulting firms like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, which often have structured training programs for engineers seeking to obtain their Professional Engineer (PE) licenses. State departments of transportation and federal agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also offer pathways for stable career progression in government roles. For those entering the workforce, possessing a Bachelor's degree from an ABET-accredited program and passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam during their senior year can significantly enhance starting civil engineer pay in NC. Over the first three years, it’s realistic for new graduates to expect gradual salary growth as they approach the city’s median and pursue credentials that can further boost their earning potential in the increasingly competitive job market.
More salary data for Wilson, 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 Wilson. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wilson 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