Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Durant, OK: $65,417 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Durant, OK job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $65,417 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Durant's local price level (BEA RPP 88.9 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $73,585 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($86,135) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates seeking employment in civil engineering in Durant, OK, the entry-level civil engineer salary is projected to begin around $65,417 in 2026. This is significantly lower than the median annual salary of $86,135, which indicates a notable gap for those just starting out in their careers. Entry-level positions typically set the stage for salary growth, with advancement expected over the first few years. Graduates can realistically aim for salaries around $72,232 within their first three to five years of experience as they climb toward the median. Given its emerging infrastructure projects spurred by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Durant presents promising opportunities for new professionals looking to make their mark in civil engineering.
About the Durant Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Durant
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 Durant
Entry-level civil engineers in Durant, OK typically start between $65,417 and $72,232 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $66,939 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $86,135 — 16.77% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Oklahoma of $48,000 represents just 73.38% of the starting civil engineer pay ($65,417/year) in Durant. 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 Durant
- 1Research the Durant market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $65,417 to $72,232, 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 Durant, 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 Durant for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Durant'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 Durant is $66,939 ( 102.33%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $65,417, experienced hygienists can earn up to $132,356.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$51,729
2025 BLS Actual
$63,741
2026 Current Est.
$65,417
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Durant (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,729 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,457 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,558 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,016 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,052 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,471 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,741 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,417 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,138 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Durant, OK grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $51,729 in 2019 to $63,741 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $67,138. New graduates entering the Durant job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Durant 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 Durant
Hiring for new graduates in Durant primarily comes from a mix of local consulting firms, government agencies, and construction companies. Larger firms like AECOM and Jacobs actively recruit entry-level engineers with structured training programs in place, offering exposure to high-profile projects and opportunities for mentorship. State DOTs and federal agencies like the US Army Corps of Engineers provide stable career paths with benefits, while local construction companies such as Bechtel and Fluor often seek field engineers ready to engage directly with projects. For those eager to boost their starting civil engineer pay in OK, earning an EIT designation by passing the FE exam can be beneficial; pursuing a PE license will further unlock advanced career opportunities. As infrastructure investments continue to grow, the demand for skilled engineers is likely to remain strong, making a proactive approach to credentialing and networking essential for recent graduates over their formative career years.
More salary data for Durant, 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 Durant. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Durant 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