Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in St. George, UT: $62,337 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the St. George, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $62,337 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out St. George's local price level (BEA RPP 97.3 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $64,053 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($94,266) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates looking to enter the civil engineering field in St. George, UT, can expect an entry-level civil engineer salary around $62,337 in 2026, which sets a clear baseline for their initial expectations. This figure represents a significant gap from the median annual salary of $94,266 for all civil engineers in the area. However, as new engineers gain experience over their first few years, their earnings can grow from entry-level to the 25th percentile salary of approximately $79,713, eventually positioning them to earn closer to the median. With a 2.63% growth rate projected over five years, St. George currently offers a favorable market for aspiring civil engineers, making it a promising location for new graduates to begin their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in St. George
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 St. George
Entry-level civil engineers in St. George, UT typically start between $62,337 and $79,713 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $67,203 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $94,266 — 8.91% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in Utah of $52,000 represents just 83.42% of the starting civil engineer pay ($62,337/year) in St. George. 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 St. George
- 1Research the St. George market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $62,337 to $79,713, 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 St. George, 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 St. George for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5St. George'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 St. George is $67,203 ( 107.81%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $62,337, experienced hygienists can earn up to $129,540.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$56,520
2025 BLS Actual
$60,740
2026 Current Est.
$62,337
2019–2027 Growth
+13.2%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in St. George (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,520 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,100 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,740 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,337 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,977 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in St. George, UT grew 7.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $56,520 in 2019 to $60,740 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $63,977. New graduates entering the St. George job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. George 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 St. George
Prominent employers in St. George include large consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP, which often have structured training programs for new graduates entering the field. These firms not only provide essential mentorship but also the opportunity to progress toward licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE), which is vital for advancing to senior roles. Additionally, construction companies like Bechtel and Fluor are also viable options, though they may offer less structured training than larger firms. To command higher starting civil engineer pay in Utah, new graduates should prioritize obtaining their Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) designation during their senior year and aim to complete the required supervision to obtain their PE license. With infrastructure spending driven by initiatives such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the demand for civil engineers in the region remains strong. Realistically, new hires can anticipate a steady climb in their salaries, with achievable increases as they gain experience and certifications in the first few years of their careers.
More salary data for St. George, 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 St. George. 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