Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Mount Juliet, TN: $67,761 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Mount Juliet, TN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $67,761 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Mount Juliet's local price level (BEA RPP 91.8 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $73,814 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($94,163) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Recent projections for 2026 indicate that new graduates in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, can anticipate an entry-level civil engineer salary starting at $67,761. This figure can be quite a jump from the median annual salary of $94,163 for civil engineers in the city, highlighting a noticeable gap typical for early-career professionals. However, newcomers should bear in mind the upward trajectory of salaries. Over the first three to five years, a civil engineer might realistically progress through the tiers of $76,687 and beyond towards the median as they gain experience and expertise. Current market conditions suggest that Mount Juliet remains a promising location for fresh graduates, especially given the ongoing demands in civil infrastructure spurred by recent federal investments.
About the Mount Juliet Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Mount Juliet
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 Mount Juliet
Entry-level civil engineers in Mount Juliet, TN typically start between $67,761 and $76,687 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $78,192 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $94,163 — 9.01% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Tennessee of $55,000 represents just 81.17% of the starting civil engineer pay ($67,761/year) in Mount Juliet. 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 Mount Juliet
- 1Research the Mount Juliet market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $67,761 to $76,687, 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 TN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Mount Juliet, 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 Mount Juliet for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Mount Juliet'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 Mount Juliet is $78,192 ( 115.39%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $67,761, experienced hygienists can earn up to $145,953.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,582
2025 BLS Actual
$66,025
2026 Current Est.
$67,761
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Mount Juliet (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,582 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,337 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,585 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,059 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,168 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,459 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,025 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,761 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,544 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Mount Juliet, TN grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,582 in 2019 to $66,025 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $69,544. New graduates entering the Mount Juliet job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mount Juliet 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 Mount Juliet
Employers in Mount Juliet present various opportunities for entry-level engineers, with major consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs leading the charge in recruiting new talent through well-structured training programs. State and federal agencies, including local departments of transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, also provide viable career paths with excellent benefits and future job security. In addition, construction companies such as Bechtel and Fluor search for field-engineering positions, offering hands-on project experience. Securing credentials, such as an ABET-accredited bachelor's degree with a passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, elevates starting pay and opens doors for advancement. With infrastructure spending driven by initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, robust demand for civil engineering roles exists. New graduates should strategically aim for obtaining a PE license early in their careers, as this credential paves the way towards higher-level responsibilities and greater earning potential. For those early years, most candidates can generally expect salary growth as they gain practical experience in this dynamic field.
More salary data for Mount Juliet, TN:
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 Mount Juliet. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Mount Juliet 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