Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Tualatin, OR: $72,389 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Tualatin, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $72,389 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Tualatin's local price level (BEA RPP 102.6 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $70,555 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($99,734) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Recent projections for 2026 suggest that the starting civil engineer salary in Tualatin, OR, will begin at approximately $72,389 annually. For new graduates entering the workforce, this figure represents a substantial starting point, albeit lower than the overall city median of $99,734. As new civil engineers establish their careers, there's a realistic path for salary growth within the initial years. By progressing through the 25th percentile earnings of $81,662, entry-level professionals can expect to see their income rise as they gain experience and increasingly take on responsibilities. Given this promising trajectory, Tualatin currently appears to offer a favorable market for fresh graduates aiming to build promising careers within the civil engineering sector.
About the Tualatin Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Tualatin
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 Tualatin
Entry-level civil engineers in Tualatin, OR typically start between $72,389 and $81,662 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $82,198 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $99,734 — 3.63% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Oregon of $65,000 represents just 89.79% of the starting civil engineer pay ($72,389/year) in Tualatin. 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 Tualatin
- 1Research the Tualatin market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $72,389 to $81,662, 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 Tualatin, 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 Tualatin for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Tualatin'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 Tualatin is $82,198 ( 113.55%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $72,389, experienced hygienists can earn up to $154,587.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,242
2025 BLS Actual
$70,534
2026 Current Est.
$72,389
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Tualatin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,242 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,048 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,585 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,092 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,345 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,441 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,534 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,389 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,293 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Tualatin, OR grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $57,242 in 2019 to $70,534 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $74,293. New graduates entering the Tualatin job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tualatin 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 Tualatin
Tualatin has several key employers seeking to hire entry-level civil engineers, notably large consulting firms like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, which often provide structured training programs for new graduates. These firms emphasize the importance of credentials like a Bachelor’s from an ABET-accredited program and passing the FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) exam, as this leads to the EIT designation, essential for furthering one’s career. Government opportunities through state DOTs and federal agencies like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also accommodate new graduates, presenting a viable career track with additional benefits such as pensions. For those entering the construction sector, firms like Bechtel and Fluor frequently recruit entry-level engineers for field positions. With the ongoing demand driven by infrastructure spending from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the competitive landscape among consulting firms and smaller companies, new graduates can anticipate steady salary advancement in their first few years, setting the stage for a robust career.
More salary data for Tualatin, 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 Tualatin. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Tualatin 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