Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Redmond, OR: $66,933 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Redmond, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $66,933 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Redmond's local price level (BEA RPP 102.6 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $65,237 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($100,894) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pursuing a career as a civil engineer in Redmond, OR, offers new graduates an entry-level salary projected at $66,933 in 2026, which stands significantly below the city’s median annual pay of $100,894. This gap highlights the typical progression new professionals can expect as they gain experience and skills—entry-level positions usually aim for the P25 mark of around $84,027 within their first few years. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.63%, it's reasonable for new hires to see their earnings rise steadily as they begin to navigate the complexities of the industry. Given the landscape of infrastructure spending spurred by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Redmond presents a favorable environment for fresh civil engineering graduates to establish themselves and build a solid foundation for their careers.
About the Redmond Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Redmond
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 Redmond
Entry-level civil engineers in Redmond, OR typically start between $66,933 and $84,027 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $88,257 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $100,894 — 2.51% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Oregon of $65,000 represents just 97.11% of the starting civil engineer pay ($66,933/year) in Redmond. 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 Redmond
- 1Research the Redmond market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $66,933 to $84,027, 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 Redmond, 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 Redmond for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Redmond'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 Redmond is $88,257 ( 131.86%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $66,933, experienced hygienists can earn up to $155,190.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,928
2025 BLS Actual
$65,218
2026 Current Est.
$66,933
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Redmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,928 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,673 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,869 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,337 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,420 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,923 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,218 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,933 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,694 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Redmond, OR grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $52,928 in 2019 to $65,218 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $68,694. New graduates entering the Redmond job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Redmond 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 Redmond
Looking at the employment landscape, firms in Redmond that actively recruit entry-level candidates include large consulting companies like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, which are known for structured training programs that help integrate new engineers into the profession. State and federal agencies, such as the Oregon Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, also provide attractive government career tracks offering benefits like retirement plans. Furthermore, skills gained through obtaining credentials such as the FE exam and subsequent path to a Professional Engineer (PE) license are crucial for long-term career advancement—these credentials not only enhance starting civil engineer pay in Redmond but also provide a competitive edge. In the early years of your career, aligning with the right employer and pursuing professional development can lead to meaningful salary increases, especially as senior-level roles remain gated by the PE license, which is vital for advancement in this thriving field.
More salary data for Redmond, 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 Redmond. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Redmond 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