Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Salt Lake City, UT: $63,918 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Salt Lake City, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $63,918 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Salt Lake City's local price level (BEA RPP 100.9 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $63,368 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($101,398) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For recent graduates entering the workforce, the entry-level civil engineer salary in Salt Lake City is a meaningful starting point for assessing career prospects. In 2026, a new grad can expect starting pay around $63,918, which is significantly lower than the city’s median of $101,398. However, with experience and skill development, early career engineers may see their salaries rise as they transition to positions earning approximately $83,130 at the 25th percentile and potentially reaching the median within a few years. Salt Lake City offers a favorable job market for new graduates, especially given the projected annual growth rate of 2.63%, indicative of ongoing demand for civil engineering roles fueled by infrastructure investments.
Career Earnings Timeline in Salt Lake City
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 Salt Lake City
Entry-level civil engineers in Salt Lake City, UT typically start between $63,918 and $83,130 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $90,130 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $101,398 — 2.02% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Utah of $52,000 represents just 81.35% of the starting civil engineer pay ($63,918/year) in Salt Lake City. 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 Salt Lake City
- 1Research the Salt Lake City market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $63,918 to $83,130, 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 UT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Salt Lake City, 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 Salt Lake City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Salt Lake City'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 Salt Lake City is $90,130 ( 141.01%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $63,918, experienced hygienists can earn up to $154,048.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,400
2025 BLS Actual
$62,280
2026 Current Est.
$63,918
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Salt Lake City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,918 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,599 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Salt Lake City, UT grew 14.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $54,400 in 2019 to $62,280 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $65,599. New graduates entering the Salt Lake City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City
In Salt Lake City, a variety of employers actively recruit entry-level civil engineers. Major consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP typically provide structured pathways for new engineers, offering vital mentorship and professional development opportunities. Furthermore, government entities like the state Department of Transportation and federal agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers create stable career pathways, often accompanied by pension plans. Construction companies like Bechtel and Fluor frequently seek field engineering EITs, offering valuable on-site experience. Aspiring engineers should consider obtaining credentials such as the FE exam to receive EIT designation during their senior year. This foundational certification, along with a degree from an ABET-accredited program, can enhance starting civil engineer salary in Salt Lake City, aiding in salary progression over the first few years of their careers. With increased focus on infrastructure spending due to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, new grads can realistically expect salary growth as they gain experience and work toward obtaining their Professional Engineer license.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
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 Salt Lake City. 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