Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Myrtle Beach, SC: $64,883 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Myrtle Beach, SC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $64,883 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Myrtle Beach's local price level (BEA RPP 93.6 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $69,288 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($92,521) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates embarking on a civil engineering career in Myrtle Beach can expect an entry-level salary of around $64,883, which reflects the lower end of the pay spectrum for this profession. This figure is notably below the city's median annual salary of $92,521, highlighting a significant gap that entry-level engineers face as they begin their careers. However, the trajectory for early-career professionals shows promise, as many can anticipate advancing to around $77,506 within a few years. Given the expected growth rate of 2.63% annually, the Myrtle Beach market presents a decent opportunity for new engineers to establish themselves in a field supported by ongoing infrastructure initiatives, especially with the impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that is intended to enhance public works across the country.
Career Earnings Timeline in Myrtle Beach
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 Myrtle Beach
Entry-level civil engineers in Myrtle Beach, SC typically start between $64,883 and $77,506 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $97,057 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $92,521 — 10.6% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in South Carolina of $52,000 represents just 80.14% of the starting civil engineer pay ($64,883/year) in Myrtle Beach. 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 Myrtle Beach
- 1Research the Myrtle Beach market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $64,883 to $77,506, 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 SC often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Myrtle Beach, 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 Myrtle Beach for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Myrtle Beach'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 Myrtle Beach is $97,057 ( 149.59%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $64,883, experienced hygienists can earn up to $161,940.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$46,570
2025 BLS Actual
$63,220
2026 Current Est.
$64,883
2019–2027 Growth
+43.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Myrtle Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,490 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,800 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,220 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,883 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,589 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Myrtle Beach, SC grew 35.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $46,570 in 2019 to $63,220 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $66,589. New graduates entering the Myrtle Beach job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach
Employment opportunities for entry-level civil engineers in Myrtle Beach mainly come from large consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, WSP, and Kimley-Horn, which are known for hiring new graduates and offering well-structured training pipelines. State Departments of Transportation and federal agencies like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provide career tracks that can lead to long-term stability through pension benefits. For those inclined towards the construction sector, companies like Bechtel and Fluor often seek field-engineering interns. To enhance starting pay in South Carolina, new graduates should focus on obtaining credentials such as the FE exam for EIT designation and, eventually, the PE license, which can unlock higher salary prospects and advancement to senior roles. Realistically, engineers in their first few years should expect modest growth but can benefit from networking and professional organizations such as NSPE, especially in a competitive market where top firms are consolidating their positions.
More salary data for Myrtle Beach, SC:
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 Myrtle Beach. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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