Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Barberton, OH: $66,338 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Barberton, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $66,338 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Barberton's local price level (BEA RPP 90.7 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $73,140 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($93,732) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Barberton, Ohio, the entry-level civil engineer salary for 2026 is projected to start at around $66,338, which may initially seem modest compared to the city's median salary of $93,732. New graduates can realistically expect to work their way up through the ranks over the first few years, moving from this entry-level pay into the $75,423 range within their first couple of years. Given a growth rate of 2.63% annually, the outlook for aspiring civil engineers entering the workforce in Barberton is primarily positive. The local market shows potential for fresh graduates to establish their careers effectively, especially with various employers known for hiring entry-level professionals in this sector.
About the Barberton Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Barberton
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 Barberton
Entry-level civil engineers in Barberton, OH typically start between $66,338 and $75,423 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $78,947 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $93,732 — 9.43% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Ohio of $58,000 represents just 87.43% of the starting civil engineer pay ($66,338/year) in Barberton. 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 Barberton
- 1Research the Barberton market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $66,338 to $75,423, 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 OH often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Barberton, 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 Barberton for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Barberton'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 Barberton is $78,947 ( 119.01%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $66,338, experienced hygienists can earn up to $145,285.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,457
2025 BLS Actual
$64,638
2026 Current Est.
$66,338
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Barberton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,457 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,196 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,354 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,818 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,883 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,864 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,638 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,338 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,083 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Barberton, OH grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $52,457 in 2019 to $64,638 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $68,083. New graduates entering the Barberton job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Barberton 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 Barberton
New graduates in civil engineering can find opportunities with large consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, which typically offer structured training programs for Engineer-in-Training (EIT) candidates. In Barberton, the focus on infrastructure spending as seen in recent legislation has bolstered job openings, particularly within public sector entities such as state Departments of Transportation or federal agencies like the US Army Corps of Engineers. To enhance their starting salaries, new grads can pursue credentials such as the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam undertaken in their final year and, later, the Professional Engineer (PE) license. The combination of these qualifications and a proactive career strategy will help entry-level civil engineers navigate their early career while paving the way to higher salary brackets, reflecting the strong demand within the field.
More salary data for Barberton, OH:
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 Barberton. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Barberton 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