Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Fredericksburg, TX: $58,354 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Fredericksburg, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $58,354 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Fredericksburg's local price level (BEA RPP 96.0 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $60,785 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($79,076) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For aspiring civil engineers, Fredericksburg, TX, presents an entry-level landscape where the starting civil engineer salary is estimated at $58,354 for 2026. While this figure may initially seem modest, it positions new graduates within a broader context where the median annual salary for civil engineers in the city is projected at $79,076. This indicates a significant opportunity for growth as entry-level engineers move toward more experienced roles. Over the first few years, starting salaries can reasonably be anticipated to increase along a trajectory from the entry-level mark through the lower quartile, eventually reaching the city median as new engineers gain experience and develop their skill sets. Given the current job market and infrastructure investments, Fredericksburg is a promising area for new graduates seeking career placements, particularly in the context of the recent spending initiatives linked to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
About the Fredericksburg Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Fredericksburg
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 Fredericksburg
Entry-level civil engineers in Fredericksburg, TX typically start between $58,354 and $65,076 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $64,178 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $79,076 — 23.59% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Texas of $58,000 represents just 99.39% of the starting civil engineer pay ($58,354/year) in Fredericksburg. 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 Fredericksburg
- 1Research the Fredericksburg market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $58,354 to $65,076, 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 TX often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Fredericksburg, 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 Fredericksburg for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Fredericksburg'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 Fredericksburg is $64,178 ( 109.98%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $58,354, experienced hygienists can earn up to $122,532.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$46,144
2025 BLS Actual
$56,859
2026 Current Est.
$58,354
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Fredericksburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,144 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,794 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,452 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,860 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,676 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,537 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,859 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,354 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,889 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Fredericksburg, TX grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $46,144 in 2019 to $56,859 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $59,889. New graduates entering the Fredericksburg job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fredericksburg 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 Fredericksburg
Employers in Fredericksburg that typically seek to hire new graduates include large consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, which provide structured pathways for early-career engineers through established PE training programs. The state Department of Transportation and agencies such as the US Army Corps of Engineers present solid government career tracks, while construction firms like Bechtel and Fluor focus on recruiting entry-level engineers for on-site projects, offering practical, hands-on experience. To boost starting pay in Texas, candidates can benefit from holding a degree in civil engineering from an ABET-accredited program and passing the FE exam during their senior year to obtain their EIT certification. In the first few years of their careers, it is crucial for entry-level engineers to work towards obtaining their PE license, which is necessary for progressing to higher-level positions such as project managers. With a steady annual growth rate of 2.63%, new graduates can anticipate competitive salary advancements as they navigate their foundational years in engineering.
More salary data for Fredericksburg, TX:
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 Fredericksburg. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Fredericksburg 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