Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Spartanburg, SC: $66,545 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Spartanburg, SC job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $66,545 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Spartanburg's local price level (BEA RPP 91.1 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $73,085 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($81,488) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Spartanburg, South Carolina, recent graduates entering the civil engineering field can expect an entry-level salary around $66,545, which sets a foundational expectation for new professionals navigating the initial phases of their careers. This figure indicates a notable difference from the city’s median annual salary of $81,488, suggesting that while starting pay is modest, there is room for growth as engineers gain experience. Over the first few years—moving from the entry-level to the 25th percentile at approximately $70,928—new hires can anticipate steady salary progression as they build expertise and deepen their contributions in the workplace. The current job market in Spartanburg is encouraging, driven by infrastructure spending spurred by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, making it a viable location for new civil engineering graduates looking to establish their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Spartanburg
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 Spartanburg
Entry-level civil engineers in Spartanburg, SC typically start between $66,545 and $70,928 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $94,512 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $81,488 — 21.26% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in South Carolina of $52,000 represents just 78.14% of the starting civil engineer pay ($66,545/year) in Spartanburg. 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 Spartanburg
- 1Research the Spartanburg market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $66,545 to $70,928, 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 Spartanburg, 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 Spartanburg for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Spartanburg'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 Spartanburg is $94,512 ( 142.03%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $66,545, experienced hygienists can earn up to $161,057.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,050
2025 BLS Actual
$64,840
2026 Current Est.
$66,545
2019–2027 Growth
+31.2%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Spartanburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,500 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,545 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,295 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Spartanburg, SC grew 24.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $52,050 in 2019 to $64,840 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $68,295. New graduates entering the Spartanburg job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Spartanburg 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 Spartanburg
When assessing potential employers in Spartanburg, new engineering grads have a variety of paths to consider. Large consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP frequently recruit entry-level engineers and provide structured training programs for professional growth. Government roles, particularly within state Departments of Transportation and federal agencies like the US Army Corps of Engineers, offer stable career paths, often with pension benefits; meanwhile, construction companies like Bechtel and Fluor target recent graduates for field-engineering positions. Credentials such as a Bachelor’s from an ABET-accredited program and passing the FE exam are foundational for boosting compensation, and work towards achieving the PE license can further enhance career potential. Within the first three years, entry-level salaries can realistically increase as engineers gain experience and start working towards their PE, which is critical for advancing to senior or project manager roles, particularly in a fluctuating but growth-oriented job market like Spartanburg's.
More salary data for Spartanburg, 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 Spartanburg. 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