Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Gresham, OR: $68,758 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Gresham, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $68,758 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Gresham's local price level (BEA RPP 102.6 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $67,016 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($106,220) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those starting their careers as civil engineers in Gresham, Oregon, the anticipated earnings in 2026 will likely range from $68,758 to $164,641, with a median annual salary of $106,220. This range indicates that while entry-level positions may pay less initially, new graduates can expect solid growth as they gain experience. Specifically, salaries can progress from approximately $68,758 to $81,361 within the first few years before reaching the median. Compared to the city median, the entry-level salary reflects a considerable gap, indicating that new engineers can anticipate a gradual increase in their earnings as they navigate the early stages of their career. With a robust local job market driven by significant infrastructure investments, Gresham presents a favorable environment for new graduates, particularly those eager to contribute to meaningful projects.
About the Gresham Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Gresham
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 Gresham
Entry-level civil engineers in Gresham, OR typically start between $68,758 and $81,361 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $95,883 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $106,220 — 2.64% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Oregon of $65,000 represents just 94.53% of the starting civil engineer pay ($68,758/year) in Gresham. 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 Gresham
- 1Research the Gresham market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $68,758 to $81,361, 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 OR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Gresham, 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 Gresham for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Gresham's moderate 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 Gresham is $95,883 ( 139.45%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $68,758, experienced hygienists can earn up to $164,641.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,370
2025 BLS Actual
$66,996
2026 Current Est.
$68,758
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Gresham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,136 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,446 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,927 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,068 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,762 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,996 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,758 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,566 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Gresham, OR grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $54,370 in 2019 to $66,996 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $70,566. New graduates entering the Gresham job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gresham 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 Gresham
In Gresham, various employers actively seek new graduates to fill entry-level civil engineering roles. Large consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP offer structured training pipelines for Engineers in Training (EITs) and provide valuable career development opportunities. State agencies, including the Oregon Department of Transportation and federal entities such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, also recruit young engineers, presenting stable career trajectories accompanied by pension benefits. In addition to obtaining a bachelor's degree from an ABET-accredited program, new graduates benefit from taking the FE exam, which leads to EIT certification. Proactive candidates should aim for a Professional Engineer (PE) license within four years of experience, as this credential typically paves the way to senior positions and better compensation. Amid ongoing infrastructure investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, there is an expected salary growth trajectory for new engineers, with realistic increases aligning with market demand and regional opportunities.
More salary data for Gresham, OR:
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 Gresham. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Gresham 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