Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Lima, OH: $68,813 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Lima, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $68,813 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lima's local price level (BEA RPP 89.7 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $76,741 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($101,593) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the field of civil engineering in Lima, OH, the starting civil engineer salary is a crucial consideration. In 2026, entry-level positions are projected to commence at around $68,813 annually, a figure that sits notably lower than the city's median salary of $101,593. As new professionals progress in this field, they can expect a growth trajectory that typically rises to approximately $80,534 in the first few years. With a robust demand for civil engineering skills driven by ongoing infrastructure investments, Lima presents a favorable job market for recent graduates, where the prospects for advancement and salary increases are promising.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lima
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 Lima
Entry-level civil engineers in Lima, OH typically start between $68,813 and $80,534 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $65,909 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $101,593 — 1.83% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Ohio of $58,000 represents just 84.29% of the starting civil engineer pay ($68,813/year) in Lima. 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 Lima
- 1Research the Lima market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $68,813 to $80,534, 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 Lima, 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 Lima for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lima'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 Lima is $65,909 ( 95.78%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $68,813, experienced hygienists can earn up to $134,722.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,710
2025 BLS Actual
$67,050
2026 Current Est.
$68,813
2019–2027 Growth
+48.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Lima (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,510 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,050 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,813 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,623 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Lima, OH grew 40.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $47,710 in 2019 to $67,050 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $70,623. New graduates entering the Lima job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lima 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 Lima
Employers in Lima, including prominent firms like AECOM, Jacobs, WSP, and construction companies such as Bechtel and Fluor, actively seek new talent in this profession. These organizations often offer structured training programs and strong mentoring for entry-level engineers. To boost starting pay, new graduates should aim for credentials that include a Bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited program and timely completion of the FE exam to obtain the EIT designation. Strategic career moves during the first three years can significantly impact salaries, as many firms prioritize Professional Engineer (PE) licensure for career advancement. While prospects for financial growth are favorable, driven in part by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, new engineers in Lima can realistically expect to see steady pay increases as they navigate the initial stages of their careers.
More salary data for Lima, 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 Lima. 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