Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in San Angelo, TX: $60,336 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the San Angelo, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $60,336 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out San Angelo's local price level (BEA RPP 92.5 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $65,261 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($76,942) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For recent graduates entering the civil engineering field in San Angelo, Texas, the starting civil engineer salary projections for 2026 present an encouraging outlook. New professionals can expect to begin their careers with salaries around $60,336, which is a realistic entry point as they transition from academic study to practical applications. While this figure lags behind the city median of $76,942, it’s important to understand that entry-level positions often provide a pathway to advantageous salary growth. Over the first few years, new grads can realistically anticipate salary progression through the 25th percentile, estimated at $66,648, helping them bridge the gap towards higher median earnings. Given the projected annual growth rate of 2.63%, San Angelo currently represents a viable market for aspiring civil engineers, offering opportunities for both skill development and career advancement.
Career Earnings Timeline in San Angelo
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 San Angelo
Entry-level civil engineers in San Angelo, TX typically start between $60,336 and $66,648 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $64,647 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $76,942 — 25.65% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Texas of $58,000 represents just 96.13% of the starting civil engineer pay ($60,336/year) in San Angelo. 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 San Angelo
- 1Research the San Angelo market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $60,336 to $66,648, 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 San Angelo, 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 San Angelo for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5San Angelo'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 San Angelo is $64,647 ( 107.14%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $60,336, experienced hygienists can earn up to $124,983.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$48,800
2025 BLS Actual
$58,790
2026 Current Est.
$60,336
2019–2027 Growth
+26.9%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in San Angelo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,800 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,860 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,790 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,336 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,923 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in San Angelo, TX grew 20.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $48,800 in 2019 to $58,790 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $61,923. New graduates entering the San Angelo job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Angelo 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 San Angelo
When considering job prospects, various employers across San Angelo offer diverse opportunities for entry-level civil engineers. Large consulting firms like AECOM, Jacobs, WSP, and Kimley-Horn are known for actively recruiting new graduates, as they typically provide structured training programs and career development tracks leading to Professional Engineer (PE) licenses. Additionally, government agencies such as state Departments of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers present stable career paths with benefits, while construction companies like Bechtel and Fluor look for field-engineering EITs who can gain practical site experience. Credentials such as an ABET-accredited degree and passing the FE exam during college increase starting pay and job prospects in Texas. With continued infrastructure investment fueled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, demand for civil engineers is likely to persist, enabling salaries to rise progressively over the first few years of a new engineer's career.
More salary data for San Angelo, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for civil engineers in San Angelo in 2026?
How fast do civil engineer salaries grow in San Angelo?
Is civil engineering school worth it in San Angelo?
What do new civil engineers make right out of school in San Angelo?
How do I become a civil engineer in Texas?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 San Angelo. 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