Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Temple, TX: $66,828 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Temple, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $66,828 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Temple's local price level (BEA RPP 96.0 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $69,613 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($94,490) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the civil engineering profession in Temple, TX can reasonably expect to start their careers with an entry level civil engineer salary of around $66,828. While this figure is below the city's median annual salary of $94,490, it lays a solid foundation for growth within the initial years of one’s career. Early-career engineers will typically advance through the salary ranges, moving to $76,353 at the 25th percentile within their first few years and approaching the median as they gain experience. This upward trajectory is encouraging, especially given the current climate in Temple, where infrastructure investments, such as those stemming from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, are creating robust opportunities for fresh talent entering this field.
About the Temple Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Temple
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 Temple
Entry-level civil engineers in Temple, TX typically start between $66,828 and $76,353 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $79,632 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $94,490 — 8.7% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Texas of $58,000 represents just 86.79% of the starting civil engineer pay ($66,828/year) in Temple. 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 Temple
- 1Research the Temple market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $66,828 to $76,353, 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 Temple, 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 Temple for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Temple'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 Temple is $79,632 ( 119.16%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $66,828, experienced hygienists can earn up to $146,460.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,844
2025 BLS Actual
$65,115
2026 Current Est.
$66,828
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Temple (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,844 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,588 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,777 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,245 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,325 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,534 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,115 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,828 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,585 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Temple, TX grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $52,844 in 2019 to $65,115 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $68,585. New graduates entering the Temple job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Temple 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 Temple
Employers in Temple actively seek new graduates from ABET-accredited civil engineering programs, with major players like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP regularly recruiting entry-level engineers. These firms often provide structured training programs tailored for Professional Engineer (PE) licensure, which is essential for career advancement. Additionally, state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, present stable job pathways with long-term benefits like pensions, while construction companies such as Bechtel and Fluor may offer varied experiences in field engineering roles. To further enhance starting civil engineer pay in TX, obtaining the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) certification early can be advantageous. As public and private investments continue to spur growth in infrastructure, engineers can expect realistic salary progression in their first three years, especially if they strategically pursue credentials that lead to increased responsibilities and leadership opportunities.
More salary data for Temple, 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 Temple. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Temple 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