Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Haltom City, TX: $56,281 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Haltom City, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $56,281 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Haltom City's local price level (BEA RPP 96.0 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $58,626 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($79,716) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Starting your civil engineering career in Haltom City, Texas, can be promising, with entry-level salaries projected for 2026 starting around $56,281. This initial pay is notably lower than the city median of $79,716, suggesting that new grads may face some financial constraints as they begin their professional journeys. However, entry-level engineers can expect to experience salary growth, with potential earnings rising to approximately $64,105 within the higher percentile of early career positions. This indicates that there is a clear path for advancement in Haltom City, which benefits from a moderate growth trajectory of 2.63% annually. Overall, the city presents a viable market for recent graduates looking to establish themselves in civil engineering.
About the Haltom City Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Haltom City
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 Haltom City
Entry-level civil engineers in Haltom City, TX typically start between $56,281 and $64,105 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $67,278 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $79,716 — 22.97% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Texas of $58,000 represents just 103.05% of the starting civil engineer pay ($56,281/year) in Haltom City. 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 Haltom City
- 1Research the Haltom City market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $56,281 to $64,105, 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 Haltom City, 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 Haltom City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Haltom City'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 Haltom City is $67,278 ( 119.54%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $56,281, experienced hygienists can earn up to $123,559.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,504
2025 BLS Actual
$54,839
2026 Current Est.
$56,281
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Haltom City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,504 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,131 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,659 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,053 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,805 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,084 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,839 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,281 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,761 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Haltom City, TX grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $44,504 in 2019 to $54,839 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $57,761. New graduates entering the Haltom City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Haltom City 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 Haltom City
In Haltom City, several key employers actively seek out entry-level civil engineers, including large consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, all known for their structured training programs for new graduates. Additionally, state and federal agencies, such as the Texas Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, offer a more traditional government career track that often includes attractive benefits like pensions. For new grads aiming to enhance their starting civil engineer salary in Haltom City, pursuing credentials such as the FE exam for EIT designation and planning for the PE license is critical. The current demand for civil engineering professionals, driven by the increased infrastructure spending through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, further highlights the importance of securing credentials that promote growth in both salary and advancement opportunities. With strategic planning, new graduates can expect realistic salary increases during their first three years in the field, enabling them to build a solid foundation for their future careers in civil engineering.
More salary data for Haltom City, 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 Haltom City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Haltom City 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