Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Mission, TX: $53,801 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Mission, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $53,801 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Mission's local price level (BEA RPP 96.0 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $56,043 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($82,184) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the field of civil engineering in Mission, Texas, the starting civil engineer salary is projected at around $53,801 in 2026. This figure is significantly lower than the city’s median salary of $82,184, indicating a notable gap between entry-level positions and median earnings that reflects the early stage of a civil engineer's career. Typically, early-career professionals can expect to see their salaries increase from the P10 salary through the P25 salary of approximately $63,166 and potentially approach the median over the first three to five years. Considering the current job market conditions, Mission offers a favorable environment for new graduates, particularly with ongoing infrastructure projects bolstered by initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which fuels demand for civil engineering talent.
About the Mission Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Mission
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 Mission
Entry-level civil engineers in Mission, TX typically start between $53,801 and $63,166 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $73,584 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $82,184 — 20.59% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Texas of $58,000 represents just 107.80% of the starting civil engineer pay ($53,801/year) in Mission. 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 Mission
- 1Research the Mission market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $53,801 to $63,166, 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 Mission, 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 Mission for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Mission'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 Mission is $73,584 ( 136.77%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $53,801, experienced hygienists can earn up to $127,385.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$42,543
2025 BLS Actual
$52,422
2026 Current Est.
$53,801
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Mission (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,543 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,142 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,515 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,891 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,566 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,422 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,801 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,216 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Mission, TX grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $42,543 in 2019 to $52,422 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $55,216. New graduates entering the Mission job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mission 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 Mission
In Mission, various employers actively seek to hire entry-level civil engineers, creating diverse opportunities for new grads. Large consulting firms such as AECOM and Jacobs focus on structured PE training pipelines that are ideal for fresh graduates aiming for comprehensive professional development. Government positions with agencies like the state Department of Transportation or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provide career tracks along with benefits such as pensions. In contrast, construction giants like Bechtel and Fluor might attract those interested in field-engineering roles. Augmenting a bachelor’s degree with credentials like the EIT designation from passing the FE exam can significantly enhance earning potential. Networking within the industry and pursuing additional qualifications, such as a Professional Engineer license, can lead to considerable salary growth in the first three years of employment. Overall, graduates in Mission should anticipate steady advancement in their pay as they gather experience and additional certifications in a thriving civil engineering sector.
More salary data for Mission, 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 Mission. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Mission 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