Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Laredo, TX: $61,629 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Laredo, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $61,629 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Laredo's local price level (BEA RPP 87.0 — 13% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $70,874 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($78,635) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the civil engineering field in Laredo, expectations for starting pay can vary significantly. In 2026, entry-level positions can expect a starting civil engineer salary of approximately $61,629, which is notably below the city's median annual salary of $78,635. This gap indicates that early-career civil engineers may have to invest additional time and effort to reach the median salary, with the projected growth from entry-level salaries toward the median reflecting a realistic trajectory of advancement. The steady demand for infrastructure projects, fueled by initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also makes Laredo an attractive market for recent civil engineering graduates eager to begin their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Laredo
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 Laredo
Entry-level civil engineers in Laredo, TX typically start between $61,629 and $65,991 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $63,108 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $78,635 — 24.02% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Texas of $58,000 represents just 94.11% of the starting civil engineer pay ($61,629/year) in Laredo. 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 Laredo
- 1Research the Laredo market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $61,629 to $65,991, 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 Laredo, 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 Laredo for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Laredo'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 Laredo is $63,108 ( 102.40%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $61,629, experienced hygienists can earn up to $124,737.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,280
2025 BLS Actual
$60,050
2026 Current Est.
$61,629
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Laredo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,180 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,050 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,629 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,250 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Laredo, TX grew 27.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $47,280 in 2019 to $60,050 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $63,250. New graduates entering the Laredo job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laredo 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 Laredo
When considering career opportunities in Laredo, a variety of employers seek to hire recent graduates. Major consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP have structured training programs for new EITs (Engineers-in-Training), while government agencies like the Texas DOT and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offer reliable pathways into public sector roles with benefits like pensions. Construction firms such as Bechtel and Fluor often recruit entry-level engineers for field positions that provide hands-on experience. To enhance their earning potential, graduates should focus on obtaining their FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) license during their senior year, which can lead to the EIT designation and ultimately, the PE (Professional Engineer) license after sufficient professional experience. A strategic approach during the first few years—prioritizing obtaining necessary credentials and gaining experience—can pave the way for upward salary growth in this burgeoning market.
More salary data for Laredo, 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 Laredo. 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