Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Kingsville, TX: $58,087 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Kingsville, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $58,087 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Kingsville's local price level (BEA RPP 96.0 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $60,507 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($80,453) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the field of civil engineering in Kingsville can expect a starting salary of approximately $58,087, which sets a foundation for their early career aspirations. This figure represents the lower end of the salary spectrum but serves as a realistic starting point for entry-level positions. With the city’s median annual salary for civil engineers projected at $80,453, entry-level professionals have a clear growth pathway as they progress through their careers. Over the first three to five years, they can realistically aim to bridge the gap between the starting pay and the median through experience and skill development. Given that Kingsville's cost of living is slightly below the national average, the market currently aligns well for new grads looking to establish themselves in a supportive environment.
About the Kingsville Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Kingsville
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 Kingsville
Entry-level civil engineers in Kingsville, TX typically start between $58,087 and $65,584 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $66,615 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $80,453 — 22.26% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Texas of $58,000 represents just 99.85% of the starting civil engineer pay ($58,087/year) in Kingsville. 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 Kingsville
- 1Research the Kingsville market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $58,087 to $65,584, 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 Kingsville, 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 Kingsville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Kingsville'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 Kingsville is $66,615 ( 114.68%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $58,087, experienced hygienists can earn up to $124,702.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,932
2025 BLS Actual
$56,598
2026 Current Est.
$58,087
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Kingsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,932 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,579 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,626 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,434 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,236 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,598 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,087 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,614 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Kingsville, TX grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $45,932 in 2019 to $56,598 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $59,614. New graduates entering the Kingsville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kingsville 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 Kingsville
In Kingsville, employers that actively recruit entry-level civil engineers include major consulting firms like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, which have strong structured training programs for Engineers in Training (EITs). Additionally, state departments of transportation and federal agencies such as the US Army Corps of Engineers offer pathways that include valuable government benefits and career stability. Construction companies, including Bechtel and Fluor, also seek field-engineer EITs, providing hands-on experience. To enhance their starting civil engineer salary in Kingsville, new graduates should consider obtaining their Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) certification during their senior year, which can lead to the EIT designation. The current trajectory of infrastructure spending from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is stimulating demand for engineers, suggesting a favorable job market. Earning a Professional Engineer (PE) license after gaining requisite experience will be crucial for advancing to project manager or senior engineering roles. Salary projections for the first few years indicate that with diligent career strategy and credentialing, early-career engineers can effectively increase their earnings and professional opportunities in this growing market.
More salary data for Kingsville, 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 Kingsville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kingsville 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