Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Claremore, OK: $61,660 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Claremore, OK job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $61,660 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Claremore's local price level (BEA RPP 88.9 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $69,359 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($87,664) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, new graduates entering the civil engineering field in Claremore, Oklahoma, can expect an entry-level civil engineer salary of around $61,660. This figure, while a tangible starting point, represents a significant gap when compared to the city's median annual salary of $87,664. Over the first few years of their careers, entry-level engineers have the opportunity to experience salary growth, moving from the 10th percentile at $61,660 to the 25th percentile at $70,008 as they gain experience and skills. With a modest growth rate of 2.63% annually projected for the next few years, Claremore appears to be a viable market for recent graduates given the local cost of living index of 88.9—indicating that living expenses are below the national average.
About the Claremore Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Claremore
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 Claremore
Entry-level civil engineers in Claremore, OK typically start between $61,660 and $70,008 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $70,724 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $87,664 — 15.29% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Oklahoma of $48,000 represents just 77.85% of the starting civil engineer pay ($61,660/year) in Claremore. 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 Claremore
- 1Research the Claremore market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $61,660 to $70,008, 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 OK often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Claremore, 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 Claremore for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Claremore'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 Claremore is $70,724 ( 114.70%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $61,660, experienced hygienists can earn up to $132,384.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$48,758
2025 BLS Actual
$60,080
2026 Current Est.
$61,660
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Claremore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,758 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,445 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,741 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,660 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,256 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,660 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,282 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Claremore, OK grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $48,758 in 2019 to $60,080 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $63,282. New graduates entering the Claremore job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Claremore 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 Claremore
Several employers in Claremore actively recruit recent civil engineering graduates, providing a range of career development pathways. Large consulting firms, such as AECOM and Jacobs, often offer structured training programs for new Engineers in Training (EITs), fostering professional growth through mentorship and the Professional Engineer (PE) licensure process. In contrast, government agencies like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation provide robust benefits and stability through pension plans that appeal to many new grads. Constructors such as Bechtel may recruit field-engineering EITs, presenting less formal training opportunities but quick involvement in significant projects. It's beneficial for new civil engineers to pursue credentials such as the FE exam during their senior year, as this leads to the EIT designation, further enhancing job prospects and pay potential. Within the first three years, a strategic approach focused on earning the PE license will significantly influence their career trajectory, particularly in light of increased infrastructure spending driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. New graduates should realistically aim for steady pay increases in their initial years, along with benefits accompanying professional advancement through licensure and specialized credentials.
More salary data for Claremore, OK:
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 Claremore. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Claremore 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